Outdoor Health Questionnaire

The Outdoor Health Questionnaire (OHQ) is a simple form we use to screen new walkers for health conditions, and collect data to help evaluate Walking for Health.

The OHQ wsa introduced in 2007 to improve the quality of data local heath walks schemes were collecting. It's been really successful as a source of data, and has helped populate the WfH database. The data collected meets the high standards set by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) and helps to evaluate the success of Walking for Health.

Download the OHQ >>

Why do I need to fill in an OHQ?

From the schemes point of view - because we want your walks to keep going! We need to show your walk's funders that WfH works, in other words, to demonstrate that your walk scheme:

• Gets inactive people walking regularly
• Attracts a wide variety of people
• Has a positive impact on people

Read our detailed FAQ section for scheme co-ordinators

From a walker's point of view, the OHQ will alert walk leaders to any health problems or other considerations that leaders are trained to deal with.

Who gets to see my OHQ?

Only the people who need to - like the person who puts your information onto our database, for example.

What happens to the OHQ afterwards?

It's treated very carefully once you've filled it in. Someone on your walk or your scheme co-ordinator will input your information onto our secure database.

• Read our WfH database FAQs

If your scheme needs your OHQ they must keep it securely. If they don't need it, they must dispose of it securely.

Why are there so many questions on the OHQ?

We've tweaked the OHQ over time in consultation with walkers, co-ordinators and regional WfH experts. We believe we are only asking for the minimum amount of information necessary.

We want health professionals to consider walking as an alternative to medication for certain conditions like asthma or some heart conditions.

So NICE, which tests new medicines, has asked us to collect information about walkers that we can use to show that Walking for Health helps people get active and stay active.