Lifestyle Medicine in the Midst of a Pandemic. Issue 2 (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Friedman, Susan M.; Barnett, Carol Hee; Barnett, Ted D.
• Is Part Of: American journal of lifestyle medicine. Volume 16:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 164
• Page End: 167
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: lifestyle medicine -- prevention -- chronic disease -- comorbidity -- coronavirus; Medicine, Preventive -- Periodicals; Lifestyles -- Health aspects -- Periodicals; Health behavior -- Periodicals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1177/1559827620957272
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1559-8276

Abstract

Patients with chronic conditions are at higher risk of complications and mortality if they get COVID-19. Approximately half of American adults have at least 1 condition that increases their risk of complications if they become infected. The medical and public health communities need to send a clear message about the impact of lifestyle on health, particularly in the time of this pandemic. We need to communicate with patients and the public, to let them know how rapidly major lifestyle changes can improve health. This communication is urgent; the timeline for self-care and lifestyle medicine interventions has been telescoped, so that chronic diseases are now acute risk factors.