A new national health project aims to boost the health of Australian women, just by encouraging them to walk and talk with their friends or workmates.

"We want to encourage active networking, with both physical and social benefits," said Dr Cristina Caperchione, coordinator of the Women's Active Living Kits (WALK) project.

The project is based on statistics showing inactivity is the number one modifiable cause of death and disease amongst women.

And it is offering a limited number of small funding grants and support kits to encourage the formation of women's walking groups across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory.

Details about the project and grant applications are now available at: www.walk.org.au .

Dr Caperchione, of Central Queensland University, said funding grants would be distributed on a submission basis to underpin new walking groups across the nation. For example, groups might need pedometers, access to cold water, pathway links, safety vests or other assistance to get started.

The coordinator said University researchers would assess the uptake and benefits of the initial project, helping to show the worth of expansion in future years.

"We hope this will tackle 3 issues at once ... avoiding loneliness and boosting health and social capital," she said.

The WALK project is funded by the Office for Women, Department of Family, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs.