Team siliconindia

• Walking 7,000 steps daily can lower death risk by 47%.
• It reduces risks of dementia (38%), depression (22%), and heart disease (25%).
• Researchers say 7,000 steps is an achievable target, especially for older adults.

Walking just 7,000 steps a day can significantly reduce the risk of death and several major health conditions, according to a global study published in The Lancet Public Health. The research suggests that this moderate step count, often seen as more achievable than the popular 10,000-step goal, can still offer substantial health benefits.

The study analysed data from 88 earlier studies conducted between 2014 and 2025, covering more than 160,000 adults. It is considered the most comprehensive research to date on the impact of daily step counts on health outcomes.

The findings revealed that walking 7,000 steps per day can lower the risk of:

- Overall mortality by 47%

- Dementia by 38%

- Depression by 22%

- Heart disease by 25%

- Type 2 diabetes by 14%

- Cancer by 6%

- Falls by 28%

Researchers from the University of Sydney, along with teams from the UK, Spain, and Norway, participated in the study. They noted that 7,000 steps is a more realistic and sustainable target, particularly for older adults or those who lead sedentary lifestyles.

Also Read: 76% Indian Doctors Trust AI to Improve Patient Care: Philips FHI 2025

However, the researchers acknowledged limitations, such as smaller sample sizes for certain conditions like cancer and dementia. They also cautioned that some studies did not fully account for variables such as age and general health.

Despite these caveats, the study strongly supports the idea that increasing daily steps even modestly can contribute significantly to long-term health and well-being.