@article{ref1,
title="The epidemiology of dog walking: an unmet need for human and canine health",
journal="Medical journal of Australia",
year="2001",
author="Bauman, A. E. and Russell, S. J. and Furber, S. E. and Dobson, A. J.",
volume="175",
number="11-12",
pages="632-634",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of dog walking in New South Wales, and to identify potential health gains if more dogs were walked. <br><br>DESIGN: Cross-sectional analytical survey. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: 894 adults in NSW in 1998 (among the owners of approximately two million domestic dogs in NSW who were potential participants in dog-walking behaviours). INTERVENTIONS: None yet. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Dog walking hours per week; other DogEpi concepts to illustrate the public health gains include the DAF (dog attributable fraction), and the BBR (benefits to bites ratio). <br><br>RESULTS: The response rate to the survey was 74%. 46% of households in NSW had a dog and, overall, dog owners walked 18 minutes per week more than non-dog owners. However, more than half of dog owners did not walk their dogs, and were less likely than non-owners to meet recommended levels of physical activity sufficient for health benefits. If all dog owners walked their dogs, substantial disease prevention and healthcare cost savings of $175 million per year might accrue. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: There are potential benefits of dog walking for human health; currently, among dog owners, much of this benefit remains to be realised. There are also likely benefits for canine health. Dog walking should be promoted through national strategies recommending &quot;Walkies for all by the year 2010&quot;.<p /> <p>Keywords: Animal Bites; Dog Bites<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0025-729X",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}