Welcome to the March edition of Whole Health Digest — home to insights, inspiration, and announcements from the world of Whole Health, provided by the nonprofit Ardmore Institute of Health (AIH).
In today's newsletter, you'll discover:
A new survey tool for use in research, public health, and patient care
Session recordings from the Food is Medicine and Diabetes convening hosted by Food and Society at the Aspen Institute
CME to support practitioners in integrating religion/spirituality into patient-centered care
This year’s American Heart Association annual report shows that major heart health risk factors, including obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure, continue to increase in the United States. The report indicates that there were 941,652 heart-related deaths in 2022, an increase of more than 10,000 from 2021. Although heart-related deaths appear to be leveling out after a major uptick during the COVID pandemic, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. (Source: AHA Journals)
The Whole Person Health Index is a new self-report survey tool that aims to provide a comprehensive snapshot of an individual's overall health by integrating biological and behavioral factors. This tool, which is freely available for use, consists of nine questions that rate various aspects of health on a scale of 1 to 5, allowing healthcare providers and researchers to track changes over time. (Source: NCCIH)
This commentary emphasizes the importance of lifestyle behavior education for physicians and informing patients of all their treatment options. “Lifestyle behavior changes, such as a whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern and increased physical activity, are recognized as a first and optimal treatment option for type 2 diabetes in clinical practice guidelines. Yet, many individuals and clinicians are conditioned to view type 2 diabetes as a lifelong disease to be managed only through medications,” says Dr. Padmaja Patel. (Source: Medscape)
Grants
Open Source Wellness: Scaling Community As Medicine Across the United States
With grant support from AIH, Open Source Wellness launched the Community As Medicine (CAM) Learning Collaborative in 2024 to scale CAM across the United States through supporting community-based organizations to build financially sustainable, equity-centered, and joyful group health coaching programs.
Since 2014, AIH has granted over $19 million to Whole Health projects and initiatives. To learn more about AIH's granting work, click here.
EVENTS
Simple Steps To Support Hormone Health
Hormonal dysregulation significantly impacts women's health, with an estimated 80% of women experiencing hormone-related health issues. In this expert workshop, Registered Dietician Kayli Anderson will cover the basics of hormones, signs of imbalances, and simple nutrition and lifestyle practices to support hormone health.
Join us at Preventive Medicine 2025, hosted by the American College of Preventive Medicine.The conference will bring together leaders across healthcare to collaborate, learn, and work to change our healthcare system through prevention and well-being for all.
Join us at the Obesity Medicine 2025 Conference, hosted by the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA). The event will feature top obesity medicine experts and a diverse offering of obesity medicine education and up to 30 CME/CE credits.
Food and Society at the Aspen Institute: Food is Medicine and Diabetes Convening Recap
With grant support from AIH, Food and Society at the Aspen Institute hosted a January convening at the University of Oklahoma Tulsa. A diverse group of experts, practitioners, and advocates gathered to explore the critical intersection of nutrition and diabetes management.
“I am so grateful for this convening because it really strengthened relationships and helped us find a way to potentially collaborate in the future,” says convening participant, Dr. Maegan Grega.
CME: Religion and Spirituality in Lifestyle Medicine
Religion and Spirituality in Lifestyle Medicine was published in 2024 and co-authored by AIH President and CEO, Dr. Ron Stout. It presents a faith-practice framework to support Lifestyle Medicine practitioners in integrating religion/spirituality into their patient-centered care. This CME, offered by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, provides the article and one quiz for one CME/CE credit.
National Nutrition Month: Start Improving Patient Health Outcomes Today with Full Plate Living
This National Nutrition Month, support your patients by implementing Full Plate Living in your practice.
Full Plate Living, offered free of cost by AIH, is a research-backed nutrition program that connects individuals to their purpose and teaches them how to add more whole, unprocessed fiber foods to the meals they’re already eating. The Full Plate Living approach is about making small, sustainable changes, and it works!
We hope you found today's newsletter informative and inspiring. We'll be back next month with another edition of Whole Health Digest.
Sincerely,
The AIH Team
P.S. This newsletter is offered by Ardmore Institute of Health (AIH), a nonprofit dedicated to improving people's health through the power of Whole Health and Lifestyle Medicine. If it was forwarded to you by a friend or colleague, and you'd like to receive it regularly, subscribe here.
March 14, 2025 Welcome to the March edition of Whole Health Digest — home to insights, inspiration, and announcements from the world of Whole Health, provided by the nonprofit Ardmore Institute of Health (AIH). In today's newsletter, you'll discover: A new survey tool for use in research, public health, and patient care Session recordings from the Food is Medicine and Diabetes convening hosted by Food and Society at the Aspen Institute CME to support practitioners in integrating...
February 14, 2025 Welcome to the February edition of Whole Health Digest — home to insights, inspiration, and announcements from the world of Whole Health, provided by the nonprofit Ardmore Institute of Health (AIH). In today's newsletter, you'll discover: What is whole person health and why it’s important More information on AIH grant-making A Culinary Medicine textbook designed to support the implementation of food-based disease prevention programs And more News and Journal Highlights More...
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