Welcome to the September edition of Whole Health Digest — featuring the latest research and practical tools for advancing Whole Health, provided by the nonprofit Ardmore Institute of Health (AIH).
In this newsletter, you will discover:
An AIH-funded pilot program showcasing the effectiveness of shared medical appointments
Upcoming events, including AAFP’s Family Medicine Experience and ACLM’s Lifestyle Medicine Conference
Full Plate Living Shared Medical Appointment Program and Group Program materials in Spanish
This article, authored by Full Plate Living Program Director, Amy Hanus, emphasizes that legumes like beans, peas, and lentils are accessible, affordable, and underutilized plant foods rich in fiber, protein, and vital micronutrients. “Incorporating legumes into daily meals doesn’t require drastic changes. Whether starting with canned low-sodium chickpeas or frozen black-eyed peas, small steps make a big difference.” (Source: American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine)
“This pilot demonstrated proof of concept of a novel, insurance-reimbursable culinary medicine service line. Initial data show successful reimbursement across payer plan types for common health conditions impacted by diet.” The interprofessional service, which provided consultations with both a physician and a dietitian, achieved a 99.7% gross insurance collection rate for patients with common diagnoses like hypertension and type 2 diabetes. (Source: The New England Journal of Medicine)
This report defines ultraprocessed foods, examines their negative effects on health, and includes recommendations for shifting eating patterns toward less processed foods. “Tackling the ‘growing public health challenge’ posed by ultraprocessed foods will require changing not just how people eat but the environment that surrounds them.” (Source: JAMA)
AAFP’s Whole Health Pilot Program, supported by AIH, demonstrates how family physicians can significantly impact community health by integrating Lifestyle Medicine principles into patient care. This initiative recognizes that a patient’s health behaviors and social ecosystem are major drivers of long-term well-being and thus encourages a person-centered, community-engaged approach. (Source: American Academy of Family Physicians)
Grants
Lake Region Healthcare: Improving Patient Health Outcomes Through Shared Medical Appointments
AIH is thrilled to highlight Lake Region Healthcare’s (LRH) Rural Lifestyle Medicine Pilot Program, which showcases the effectiveness of shared medical appointments (SMA). Last year, LRH facilitated two 8-week SMA programs – one for patients with obesity and one for patients with diabetes.
Among the 18 participants in the obesity SMA, 11 experienced a reduction in BMI between the start of the class and six months post-program. Of those 11, 4 reduced their BMI from the obese to the overweight category.
For the 15 participants in the diabetes SMA, the average HbA1c level decreased by 1.25% from the start of the program to six months post-program. After six months, 10 participants achieved an HbA1c level below 7%.
Stanford University and Eat Real: Maximizing School Food Improvements
This Spring, AIH provided grant funding in support of a first-of-its-kind research partnership between Stanford University and Eat Real. Together, they will evaluate how Eat Real's certification model changes nutrition, behavior, and communities in participating districts. “Real food in schools can change lives. This partnership has the opportunity to turn a vision into a scalable reality. The future of health starts with our kids’ trays,” says Nora LaTorre, CEO at Eat Real.
Click here to watch a short video of Dr. Christopher Gardner, Professor of Medicine at Stanford University, and Nora preparing a recipe from an Eat Real Certified school in Sacramento and sharing more about ultraprocessed foods, fiber, and the goals of their partnership.
Stanford University: Fostering a Love for Healthy Eating
In 2023, AIH awarded a grant to Stanford University in support of their Farm to Table Camp, which is grounded in research that demonstrates that school-based programs with cooking and gardening components have potential to improve dietary intake and adoption of healthier habits.
This year, campers utilized the new Full Plate for Kids activity books, created by the Stanford University Nutrition Studies Research Group and supported by AIH. Dr. Linda Koh is in the process of creating a Facilitator Guide to accompany the activity book and a Quick Reference Guide to assist healthcare providers in introducing Full Plate for Kids into clinical workflows.
Since 2014, AIH has granted over $19 million to Whole Health projects and initiatives. To learn more about AIH's granting work, click here.
Resources
Lifestyle Medicine and the Primary Care Provider: A Practical Guide to Enabling Whole Person Care
Lifestyle Medicine and the Primary Care Provider: A Practical Guide to Enabling Whole Person Care is available to order and is more relevant than ever.
This resource is designed for primary care providers who want to integrate Lifestyle Medicine principles into their practice to improve patient health and well-being. Authored by over 65 experts, the book provides a practical roadmap with actionable, time-efficient strategies for enabling Whole Person Care.
P.S. Use code PCP25 before October 9th for 25% off your order.
Now Available in Spanish: Full Plate Living Shared Medical Appointment Program and Group Program
The Full Plate Living Shared Medical Appointment Program and Group Program are now available in Spanish! Full Plate Living is an experience-centered, evidence-based nutrition program that has helped hundreds of thousands of people and is offered free of cost by AIH.
The Full Plate Living Shared Medical Appointment Program equips physicians, who often lack the necessary time and support, to effectively educate patients on the power of healthy lifestyle habits. Learn more and download the free materials below:
The Full Plate Living Group Program is designed to support individuals in promoting better nutrition and health in their community or workplace. Learn more and download the free materials below:
Recording Available: Nature as Medicine: What's So Great About the Great Outdoors?
In this free workshop, Lifestyle Medicine expert and creator of The Lift Project, Dr. Darren Morton, explores the growing field of nature as medicine. He examines the emerging evidence showing how time in nature benefits both body and brain and delves into some fascinating theories that seek to explain why natural environments are so beneficial for human health and well-being.
ACLM has launched a new culinary medicine program to help patients transition to a plant-predominant diet. This online resource is designed to build a strong foundation in culinary skills, helping patients understand how to find, prepare, and enjoy healthy food. Healthcare providers can share this resource library with patients, which includes free videos and handouts exploring basic cooking skills, recipes, mindful eating, and more.
Join AIH at Family Medicine Experience (FMX) 2025, hosted by AAFP. FMX is designed to inspire, educate, and foster meaningful connections among family physicians and their care teams, and the event offers a variety of educational opportunities. AIH is a proud sponsor, and Full Plate Living will exhibit and share more about the free nutrition resources available for physicians.
4th International Symposium to Advance Total Worker Health
AIH is delighted to sponsor the 4th International Symposium to Advance Total Worker Health, where research meets real-world impact for worker well-being. It is the premier gathering where thought leaders, researchers, practitioners, employers, and policymakers gather for insights, practical solutions, and valuable connections to advance worker health, safety, and productivity.
ACLM’s annual Lifestyle Medicine Conference will be held in Grapevine, Texas in November, and AIH is delighted to sponsor the event. Full Plate Living will exhibit and host a free education session, Shared Medical Appointments: Integrating Lifestyle Medicine with Full Plate Living, on Monday, November 17th. Click the link below to register to attend the conference and RSVP for the education session.
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. If it was forwarded to you by a friend or colleague, and you'd like to receive it regularly, subscribe here.
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