Integrating lifestyle medicine into primary care: The case for policy, system, and environmental strategies

Chronic conditions are among the most common, costly, and preventable of all health problems in the U.S. Many chronic conditions are either caused or exacerbated by issues such as poor nutrition, lack of exercise, excess stress, alcohol abuse, and tobacco use. The practice of Lifestyle Medicine (LM) is specifically geared toward working with patients to address these issues in a clinical setting. As stated by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, “although the practice of Lifestyle Medicine incorporates many public health approaches, it remains primarily a clinical discipline… A growing body of scientific evidence has demonstrated that lifestyle intervention is an essential component in the treatment of chronic disease that can be as effective as medication, but without the risks and unwanted side effects.”

Practitioners who are well-versed on the impact that lifestyle choices have on health are often challenged to address these issues in clinical settings. One Community Health Center accepted this challenge and actively engaged in developing and implementing policies, systems, and a clinical environment to incorporate LM into primary care services. This presentation is timely because millions of individuals who were previously uninsured are now entering the health care system through the Affordable Care Act. Many of these individuals have lower levels of education, fewer economic resources, limited access to health-enhancing programs and services, and therefore suffer the consequences of lifestyle-health conditions at significantly higher rates than their counterparts. The integration of LM into primary care is critical and timely.