Lifestyle Medicine, the USDA and the Land-Grant University Cooperative Extension System: A Call to Action at the Intersection of Personal, Public and Planetary Health

This article, co-authored by Ardmore Institute of Health President and CEO, Dr. Ron Stout, highlights the potential for improved community well-being through increased collaboration between Lifestyle Medicine practitioners and the Cooperative Extension System. “A relatively untapped resource for Lifestyle Medicine funding partnership is the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and land-grant university Cooperative Extension Systems.”

Abstract

Increased collaboration between Lifestyle Medicine (LM) practitioners and the Cooperative Extension System (CES) presents a powerful opportunity to improve community well-being. Implementing community education programs enables residents to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of lifestyle changes—such as proper nutrition, physical activity, and stress management—in preventing and managing chronic diseases. These initiatives, coupled with regular clinical visits with trained LM practitioners, can help individuals assess their health risks and connect them with the resources and support needed for disease prevention, treatment, and reversal.