Discover the Future of Healthcare at Lifestyle Medicine 2024
Are you a healthcare professional seeking innovative solutions that genuinely benefit both you and your patients? Do you want to deepen your understanding of evidence-based nutrition? Are you curious about the intersection of lifestyle medicine, health equity, and longevity? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the upcoming Lifestyle Medicine 2024 conference is an event you cannot afford to miss.
What is Lifestyle Medicine 2024?
Hosted by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM), the annual conference will take place from October 27-30 in Orlando, Florida. This year marks a significant milestone as ACLM celebrates its 20th anniversary with a growing membership of over 13,000 professionals. While in-person attendance is nearing capacity, virtual registration remains open throughout October, allowing you to participate from anywhere.
Insights from the Conference Chair
Dr. Meagan Grega, the conference chair, emphasizes the transformative potential of lifestyle medicine in healthcare. "Lifestyle medicine is changing the paradigm of healthcare to restore health for individuals living with chronic disease," she explains. The conference will showcase a variety of topics and sessions designed to equip clinicians with practical tools and insights for integrating lifestyle medicine into their practices effectively.
Key Themes and Topics
Lifestyle Medicine, Blue Zones, and Healthspan
A highlight of this year’s conference is the collaboration between ACLM and Blue Zones, which will introduce a new clinician certification status in 2025. This certification, known as "Blue Zones–Certified Physician" or "Blue Zones–Certified Health Professional," will be available exclusively to those who first become certified in lifestyle medicine. The opening keynote will feature Dan Buettner, the founder of Blue Zones, and Ben Leedle, its CEO, discussing how the principles of Blue Zones can revolutionize primary care.
Food as Medicine
The "food as medicine" movement is gaining traction, and lifestyle medicine practitioners are at the forefront of this initiative. Renowned experts Christopher Gardner, PhD, and Michelle Hauser, MD, from Stanford University, will present evidence-based nutrition studies and practical dietary changes that can enhance patient health. Additionally, Chef Michel Nischan, founder of Wholesome Wave, will discuss the challenges and successes of scaling food-as-medicine initiatives, while representatives from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona will share outcomes from their food-as-medicine programs for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Human Thriving
What truly contributes to a fulfilling life? Robert Waldinger, MD, a part-time professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, will delve into findings from the Harvard Study of Adult Development, an 85-year longitudinal study that reveals the factors that promote health and happiness over a lifetime.
Addressing Health Equity
Health disparities are a pressing issue, particularly for individuals in minority and rural communities. Clinicians experienced in delivering lifestyle medicine in under-resourced areas will share their insights on how ACLM is tackling these disparities. Sessions will focus on partnerships with community organizations, including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), to ensure equitable access to lifestyle medicine services.
Brain Health
In an interactive keynote session, Ayesha Z. Sherzai, MD, and Dean Sherzai, MD, will explore the multifaceted aspects of brain health. They will discuss how lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity, stress management, and cognitive engagement can promote cognitive longevity and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
Clinical Practice Guidelines
Lifestyle counseling is increasingly recognized as a first-line treatment in clinical practice guidelines. Experts will discuss ACLM’s first clinical practice guideline, "Lifestyle Interventions for Treatment and Remission of Type 2 Diabetes and Prediabetes in Adults," and how to implement its key action statements in primary care settings.
Research Presentations
The conference will feature over 200 original research abstracts, providing a platform for attendees to engage with cutting-edge research. Virtual attendees will have the opportunity to view presentations and interact with authors through the conference app.
Why You Should Attend
If you are searching for healthcare innovations that truly make a difference, Lifestyle Medicine 2024 is the place to be. Whether you attend in person or virtually, you will gain valuable insights, evidence-based practices, and networking opportunities with leading experts in the field.
Register Now
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your practice and improve patient outcomes. Visit the Lifestyle Medicine 2024 conference website to register today. Join us in shaping the future of healthcare through lifestyle medicine!
