Dennis Godby starts final 760-mile leg of cross-country health equity walk

California naturopathic doctor Dennis Godby will begin the last 760 miles of his five-year walk across America on Aug. 24 in Bozeman, Montana, ending Sept. 24 at Seattle’s Pier 62. Organizers want the finale to turn the trek into a visible public push for health equity and broader awareness of how race, income and ZIP code shape health outcomes.

Why it matters: - Walk USA for Health Equity is trying to turn health equity from an abstract policy goal into a visible public movement. - Organizers say the walk highlights how race, income, neighborhood and access to care can affect health and life expectancy. - The Seattle finale is meant to draw a large public show of support for fair access to health.

What happened: - Dennis Godby, a California-licensed naturopathic doctor, will begin the final 760-mile leg of his five-year, 3,450-mile walk across America three days after turning 70. - Godby and retired firefighter Rich Saalsaa will leave Bozeman City Hall at 8:00 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24. - The kickoff will include a press conference at Bozeman City Hall with healthcare professionals, community leaders, faith leaders, students, supporters and media. - The walk will end Sept. 24 at Seattle’s Pier 62.

The details: - The final route will pass through Helena, Missoula, Coeur d’Alene, Spokane, Moses Lake and Ellensburg before reaching Seattle. - The month-long walk will move through Montana, Idaho and Washington. - Organizers are inviting healthcare professionals, students, faith communities, civic leaders, patients and residents to join along the route. - Since launching in September 2022, Walk USA for Health Equity has covered more than 2,700 miles. - The effort has generated thousands of conversations about the social, economic and environmental conditions that shape health. - Seattle travel author, broadcaster and public television personality Rick Steves recorded a public video endorsement of the walk. - Godby recently served as the closing keynote speaker at the 2026 American Association of Naturopathic Physicians Annual Convention.

Between the lines: - The walk is also a direct challenge to health professionals to move beyond clinics and into public advocacy. - Organizers want the Seattle gathering to become one of the nation’s largest public events focused on health equity, with hundreds of white-coated healthcare professionals alongside community members. - Godby frames the effort as collective action, not a solo endurance feat, and says health equity will require many groups acting together. - The campaign’s broader goal is to build a lasting national movement after the final mile.

What's next: - The public can attend the Bozeman kickoff on Aug. 24 at 8:00 a.m. - Supporters can join portions of the walk in Montana, Idaho and Washington. - Organizers are also inviting the public to take part in the Seattle finale on Sept. 24. - More information, and options to walk, volunteer or donate, are available at Walk USA for Health Equity.

The bottom line: - The final stretch of Godby’s walk is designed to make health equity visible in public, while turning a five-year solo journey into a broader campaign for community action.