Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and cancer account for the majority of European morbidity and mortality. The root causes of NCDs are often modifiable behavioral factors. These modifiable behavioral factors are not merely causes; they are also therapeutic targets and strategic points of intervention.
It is precisely in this context that Lifestyle Medicine (LM) stands out: an evidence-based discipline that integrates therapeutic interventions focused on behavior change through six core pillars. These six pillars — healthy nutrition, regular physical activity, avoidance of harmful substances, quality sleep, effective stress management, and healthy interpersonal relationships — have been shown to help prevent, treat, and, in many cases, reverse NCDs.
A concerted decision will be required to improve population health while ensuring the future sustainability of healthcare systems. Policy makers will play a crucial role in appropriately setting priorities and implementing the necessary actions. Prevention, early detection, treatment, and appropriate follow-up of NCDs will be essential components of the health response in the future. In fact, these are core elements of General Practice / Family Medicine, which will increasingly take on a strategic role.
Empowering Family Doctors with Practical Tools
To support implementation, practical tools adapted to European health system realities are essential. We highlight two excellent examples:
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The BRIEF project manual: Integrated brief interventions for noncommunicable disease risk factors in primary care. Available at: https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/9789289058551 This comprehensive manual is in three parts: Part 1 describes the background and approaches to implementing primary care-based brief intervention programs;
Part 2 consists of annexes that present flow diagrams and more detailed guidance for delivery of brief interventions by primary care providers; and Part 3 presents supplementary materials that set out behavioral and cultural insights considerations on the use of brief interventions and examples of work being done on brief interventions in the Region. -
Dutch College of General Practitioners (NHG) Lifestyle Guidelines: Available at: https://www.nhg.org/standaarden/volledig/gezonde-leefstijl/ These provide evidence-based recommendations and algorithms for managing lifestyle-related risk factors, with an emphasis on shared decision-making.
Recent Webinar
We recently hosted a highly successful webinar on "Applying LM in Primary Care Clinic" on March 6th. For those who missed it or wish to revisit the content, the recording was published in this week's WONCA newsletter and is also available on our group's website.
A Call to Action!
Integrating lifestyle medicine into primary care is not about adding more to the already full plate of general practice; It is about rethinking how we deliver care. By embedding lifestyle interventions into routine consultations, we can empower patients, reduce long-term healthcare costs, and improve quality of life across Europe.
Contributions, insights and local success stories are most welcome!
Let’s connect across borders to promote a healthier future.
Sincerely,
Dr Rosália Páscoa
WONCA Europe Lifestyle Medicine SIG
Our Mission
To promote evidence-based lifestyle medicine by raising awareness, providing knowledge and tools, and increasing competence in using a healthy lifestyle as a tool for the prevention, management, and treatment of diseases.