Statement of Purpose

Lifestyle medicine is a new field in healthcare dedicated to the prevention of chronic disease risk, progression, and complications. Lifestyle medicine incorporates nonpharmacological and nonprocedural intervention modalities, such as nutrition, physical activity, behavioral medicine, sleep hygiene, and community engagement. In 2016, Lifestyle Medicine: A Manual for Clinical Practice was published that provided an evidence-based review of the components and implementation of lifestyle medicine in clinical care. There are many challenges to optimizing health on an individual- and population-based scale. Implementation and translating strategy to action is one of the most difficult obstacles to providing effective lifestyle medicine for patients. This book details the tactics and logistics of building a successful Lifestyle Medicine Center or Clinical Service Line. Introductory chapters review the basics of lifestyle medicine, followed by chapters devoted to implementation. The last part of the book presents case studies of existing Lifestyle Medicine Centers that are successful and instructive for those who are new to the field. It is hoped that a critical mass effect can be realized as more and more successful Lifestyle Medicine Centers become operational. This can change the culture of healthcare and, by focusing on the prevention of chronic disease, reorganize the current medical paradigm that focuses on disease treatment. Consequently, efforts are redirected to early and sustainable care, freeing up funds to support a new healthcare system that improves well-being for all.