Fast Facts in Lifestyle Medicine: A Booklet for Healthcare Professionals & Patients is a concise, high-yield overview of foundational concepts and practical strategies in lifestyle medicine. Designed for both healthcare professionals and patients, this accessible resource makes essential lifestyle medicine concepts easier to understand, remember, and apply.
It is estimated that up to 80 percent of chronic disease can be prevented through improvements in lifestyle behaviors. Although many lifestyle medicine resources, courses, and books are available, lifestyle-based practices remain underutilized or insufficiently emphasized in clinical care and everyday life.
The booklet follows the six pillars of lifestyle medicine: healthy eating, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, positive social connection, and avoidance of risky substances.
The booklet distills key concepts from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine Lifestyle Medicine 101 Curriculum and the Lifestyle Medicine Handbook (2nd Edition) into core, high- yield facts. It is organized into 13 modules, with each module containing approximately five facts. Each fact includes a “More in Depth” section that provides additional explanation and context, followed by Healthcare Professional and Patient Takeaways highlighting the most important concepts to remember and apply. These takeaways are also compiled separately in the appendix for quick reference.
The 63 facts were selected through a structured review and revision process, with input from a peer-review group of individuals with experience in lifestyle medicine and related areas. This process helped refine and finalize the most essential concepts for inclusion.
The booklet can be read from beginning to end or used as a flexible reference. Readers may explore one fact at a time, focusing on a specific area of interest such as nutrition, physical activity, sleep, or stress, or turn directly to the takeaway lists for quick reminders. Healthcare professionals may use the booklet to support patient counseling, discussion, and education, while patients can use it to better understand their role in directing and maintaining their health. The takeaways may also serve as reminders in clinical or home settings.
Whether it is read one fact at a time or used as a quick reference, this booklet is designed to make lifestyle medicine more accessible and actionable. By empowering healthcare professionals and patients with the science and practice of lifestyle medicine, Fast Facts in Lifestyle Medicine: A Booklet for Healthcare Professionals & Patients aims to support meaningful conversations, collaborative care, and the everyday pursuit of better health.
