The Lifestyle Medicine
In response to the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health, ACLM is creating a nationwide lifestyle medicine-trained workforce within Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in an effort to reverse the burden of chronic disease in under-resourced communities.
Backed by the generosity of individuals, foundations, corporations, and other supporters, we aim to secure $2.4 million in matching funds to achieve at-scale impact that addresses clinician resiliency, empowers patients to make sustainable behavior change and reduces the chronic disease burden.
The Need to Address Chronic Disease is Urgent
Clinicians across every specialty and practice setting encounter people daily with debilitating yet preventable diseases
U.S. Adults Have at Least One Chronic Disease
U.S. Adults Have Two or More Chronic Diseases
of Healthcare Dollars are for People with Chronic and Mental Health Conditions
Source: CDC
The statistics are alarming, but they also point to a positive path forward
Addressing lifestyle behaviors – including nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, social connection, and avoidance of risky substances – can have a positive impact on reversing, treating, and preventing chronic disease.
Addressing the burden of chronic disease begins with education
Clinicians and members of clinical care teams receive little to no education about how lifestyle factors impact disease reversal or about how to support patients in making lasting behavior change. ACLM aims to fill this gap with evidence-based education, training, and certification for a spectrum of health care practitioners, equipping them with the knowledge, support, and practical skills they need to positively affect patient health.
An historic at-scale commitment is underway
The National Training Initiative, as part of ACLM’s commitment to the White House National Strategy to reduce diet-related diseases and health disparities by 2030, closes the gap in clinician education by providing a solid foundation in the principles of lifestyle medicine and food as medicine. Through this initiative, ACLM is creating a nationwide network of healthcare professionals equipped with the knowledge, tools, and resources to support at-scale behavior change resulting in healthier communities and a healthier nation.
Reaching under-resourced communities is a top priority
Marginalized communities face an undue burden from chronic disease. Providing education for clinicians serving those most in need of accessible, quality care using a lifestyle medicine approach is a top priority for the National Training Initiative.
We believe that this commitment will ensure that all communities, especially those most at risk of or living with chronic conditions, have access to evidence-based, whole-person, cost-effective care.
“ACE is proud to be a founding impact partner to help bring behavior-change and lifestyle medicine coaching to communities that need it most. With a mission to get people moving toward adopting and maintaining healthier lifestyles, collaborations with like-minded partners such as ACLM are crucial to increase participation in physical activity and other healthy lifestyle behaviors for improved health outcomes of all people.”
Cedric Bryant, PhD, FACSM
President & Chief Science Officer
“There’s a serious gap in teaching our medical professionals about the power of food and nutrition in health care. It hurts patients who would benefit from holistic treatments or prevention plans and is something we can no longer ignore.”
James P. McGovern
House Representative
The time to take action is now
We need your help to make equitable access to lifestyle medicine possible. Your donation, matched dollar for dollar up to $2.4 million, will support scholarship funding for FQHC organizations in each state across the U.S. Together, we can empower health care practitioners with the knowledge and education to positively impact thousands of lives through a transformed health care system.
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS IMPACT PARTNERS
$100,000+
PARTNER WITH US
If you or your organization wish to support the National Training Initiative as an Impact Partner ($5,000 or more), please reach out to the ACLM Partnerships Team (partnerships@lifestylemedicine.org) to discuss the initiative and learn more about receiving this designation.
The Lifestyle Medicine National Training Initiative supporters provide in-kind marketing and promotion and include:
