AAFP: Supporting Family Physicians to Implement Whole Health Approaches
Ardmore Institute of Health (AIH) is proud to have provided grant funds to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) in 2024 to strengthen the system infrastructure needed to equitably implement Whole Health approaches into family medicine.
Whole Health is physical, behavioral, spiritual, and socioeconomic well-being, and AIH and AAFP recognize that Whole Health is an outcome of a high-quality, comprehensive primary care system. A key component of Whole Health is Lifestyle Medicine, a medical approach that uses evidence-based, therapeutic lifestyle interventions as modalities to prevent, treat, and often reverse chronic conditions. When physicians are equipped with the knowledge and tools to deliver Whole Health care with an emphasis on Lifestyle Medicine, they are uniquely positioned to promote disease prevention, resilience, and long-term wellness.
AAFP, with support from AIH, has developed Whole Health resources for physicians, including a Whole Health Guide to support physicians in integrating Whole Health approaches into their daily practice. Inside, you’ll find:
An introduction to Whole Health
A glossary of terms (such as patient-centered care and Lifestyle Medicine)
A breakdown of the five elements of the Whole Health model
Successes and challenges from three pilot projects that sought to address social determinants of health and treat risk factors for chronic diseases
A Project Plan Template to be replicated by physicians seeking to develop or expand a partnership with a community organization
Two pages of tools and resources from AAFP, ACLM, the Healing Works Foundation, and others related to Whole Health approaches and Lifestyle Medicine
In today's healthcare landscape, addressing the root causes of illness and empowering patients to take an active role in their well-being is critical. The Whole Health approach, with Lifestyle Medicine as a cornerstone, offers a powerful framework for achieving this. If you are a physician interested in going beyond symptom management, click here to access the Whole Health Guide and get started today.
Related Grant: Teaming Up with Public Health: Lifestyle Medicine
Continue Exploring:
