(In Alphabetical Order)

Erik Brand, MD, MSc
Sports Medicine Fellow, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital (incoming)
Bainbridge Island, WA

Jessica Colwell, MBBS
Medical Student,
University of Queensland
Minnetonka, MN

Kenneth Counts, PhD
Private Practice, Clinical and Neuropsychology
Little Rock, Arkansas

Larry Derbes, MD
Cardiologist,
Hawaii Cardiology, LLC
Honolulu, Hawaii

Soumya Ganapathy, MD
Attending Emergency Physician,
Beverly Hospital
Beverly, Massachusets

Benno Krachler, MD, PhD, MS
Internal Medicine, Kalix Hospital, Researcher
Kalix, Sweden

Johann Kim Manez, MD
Physician, Adventist University of the Philippines
Pasay, Philippines

Francesca Marcus, MSc(N), MBA
DrPH candidate,
Loma Linda University
San Marino, California

Derek Poteryko, MD
Family physician, Director of Central Island Smoking Intervention Clinic
Nanaimo, BC, Canada

ACLM is rapidly becoming an international organization.  Over the last few months I've had ongoing email interactions with physicians passionate about Lifestyle Medicine from countries such as Australia, Mexico, the Philippines and India.  They are recognizing the need for better skills and tools in LM for themselves and their colleagues, and the real need for LM programs for their patients.  

 

Historically organizations like the World Health Organization have focused more on acute, infectious diseases issues such as small pox and malaria.  These were the greatest, most treatable health problems.  At latest count, however, chronic disease now accounts for over 60 percent of all deaths globally.  More than 35 million people die on an annual basis from heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other chronic diseases that are largely preventable with healthy lifestyles.  This is twice the death rate for infectious diseases, maternal and perinatal conditions, and nutritional deficiencies combined.  Worldwide the "Western" approaches to nutrition, as well as the decreased amounts of physical activity and increased levels of stress associated with a highly technological modern world are infiltrating traditional cultures built around healthier lifestyle principles. 

 

How should ACLM respond to these needs and opportunities?  I believe there are three practical steps.  The first is to consciously recognize the critical need for LM on a global basis.  This includes talking about it in our conversations, meetings, and publications.  That is the primary reason for this column. 

 

Second, although ACLM was formed as an "American" Lifestyle Medicine professional association, we recognize that many countries do not have similar organizations. We are happy and honored to be a resource and a home for health care providers from all countries.  At our next board meeting ACLM will be discussing the development of an international committee that can grow and support our increasing cadre of international members. 

 

Finally, ACLM can foster development of other LM professional organizations worldwide.  Over the last several years ACLM has had ongoing interactions with the Australian Lifestyle Medicine Association (ALMA), the only other national LM professional association of which I'm aware.  In November of this year I'll be meeting with them to discuss the possibility of developing an organization whose primary goal is to bring together LM health care professional activities globally.   Perhaps it's time for an International Lifestyle Medicine Professional Association Consortium.

 

As always, the opportunities for this young field are significant, and open for your involvement.  If this column piques your interest, please let us know.  We'd love to have your energy and passions connected to our next steps. 

    

Sincerely,
 
Wayne Dysinger, MD, MPH
President