You’ve heard it a thousand times. Exercise. Eat healthier. Lose weight.
As dean of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, I know this is critical advice to tackling heart disease, obesity and other chronic disease, which is the leading cause of death and disability in our community and across the nation.
I also believe medical schools can, and must, do more to equip doctors with the knowledge and expertise focused on wellness and self care to improve patient health. A healthy diet, regular exercise and managing stress are all goals you may aspire to. When prescribed by a doctor trained in lifestyle medicine, healthy behavior modifications like these can help treat or prevent diseases.
The American Hospital Association estimates 133 million Americans – nearly half the population – suffer from at least one chronic illness. Heart disease affects more than 79 million Americans and is responsible for 40% of all deaths. During the past 15 years, the number of people with diabetes…