Lifestyle Medicine
Our Joint MSPAS/MPH program is designated by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) Partial Academic Pathway.
This designation by the ACLM provides our students with a unique opportunity to jumpstart their journey toward becoming certified in lifestyle medicine.
Highlights
Lifestyle medicine is a medical specialty that focuses on using evidence-based lifestyle changes to prevent, treat, and reverse chronic diseases. It emphasizes the following six key lifestyle factors:
- Nutrition: Consuming a whole-plant-predominant diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.
- Physical activity: Engaging in regular moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise and resistance training.
- Sleep: Getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.
- Stress management: Implementing techniques such as mindfulness, yoga, or meditation to reduce stress levels.
- Substance use cessation: Avoiding tobacco, excessive alcohol consumption, and drug use.
- Social connections: Cultivating strong social relationships and participating in community activities.
Curriculum Features
You will gain foundational knowledge in lifestyle medicine as part of your studies. This curriculum will empower you to lead a healthier lifestyle and learn skills to prevent burnout. By attending our program, you will complete one of the two required education prerequisites toward certification, giving you a head start before graduation to become board-certified in Lifestyle Medicine.
Steps to Becoming Board Certified in Lifestyle Medicine
After completing the initial portion of the Lifestyle Medicine curriculum during the didactic phase of their education, graduates can fulfill the remaining requirements by completing an additional 30 hours of continuing medical education in Lifestyle Medicine and passing a standardized examination to become board-certified.
Partnership
Our Joint MSPAS/MPH program is proud to partner with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) to offer our students the opportunity to become certified in Lifestyle Medicine. Clinicians certified in this specialty are equipped to deliver evidence-based, whole-person care through prescriptive lifestyle changes that not only treat but, when applied intensively, can often reverse chronic conditions. By applying the six pillars of Lifestyle Medicine—a whole-food, plant-predominant diet, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, effective stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and strong social connections—our graduates are also prepared to lead in the prevention of these conditions and promote lasting wellness in the communities they serve.