The Almería Health District, part of the Andalusian Health Service (SAS), has officially presented a recognition certificate to the University of Almería (UAL). The award acknowledges the academic institution's significant involvement in the regional project titled ‘For a Million Steps’.
The event was attended by the territorial delegate of the Ministry of Health, Juan de la Cruz Belmonte, and the District's management team, who presented the award to the UAL's Vice-Rector for Sustainability, Health, and Sports, Gabriel Aguilera.
Juan de la Cruz Belmonte highlighted the UAL's commitment, describing it as a 'benchmark in community health.' He emphasized that initiatives like this not only combat sedentary lifestyles but also strengthen social bonds within the province of Almería through exercise and cooperation.
Gabriel Aguilera, in turn, expressed gratitude for the distinction, stating the University's pride in this award that recognizes the effort of its students, faculty, and administrative staff. He affirmed that the UAL's ‘Healthy Campus’ program will continue to prioritize comprehensive well-being and the integration of sports into university life.
The diploma officially certifies the adherence and successful completion of the challenge by the UAL's Health Promotion Unit. University community members who joined the initiative successfully completed the planned walks between April 15 and May 15, 2026, significantly exceeding the set objectives.
The ‘For a Million Steps’ project, promoted by the Ministry of Health as part of the Strategy for the Promotion of a Healthy Life, aims to directly combat sedentary behavior and encourage regular moderate physical activity among the general population.
The program challenges associations, institutions, and citizen groups to collectively achieve at least one million steps in a month by summing the steps of all participants. Through group walks, daily steps are counted, fostering not only physical exercise and the use of public spaces but also social connections, camaraderie, and mutual support.
With this recognition, the Territorial Delegation of the Ministry of Health and the Almería Health District acknowledge the University of Almería's commitment as an active agent in promoting the health of its students, faculty, and administrative staff, reinforcing a model of a university campus dedicated to comprehensive well-being.
