Abstract
‘. . . it seems like a good time to explore new vistas in lifestyle medicine and also announce an expanded purview for AJLM.’
The year 2020 marks the 14th year of publication for the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine (AJLM). What started as a hope and a vision that a forum for the exchange of evidence-based ideas and concepts in the area of lifestyle medicine was needed, has now grown, prospered, and expanded as the field of lifestyle medicine has continued to develop and mature. As we face the challenges ahead of us, it seems like a good time to explore new vistas in lifestyle medicine and also announce an expanded purview for AJLM.
In this issue of AJLM, readers will find a new column titled “Lifestyle Medicine around the World,” which is edited by lifestyle medicine expert Dr Garry Egger. This new column reflects the fact that lifestyle medicine has now emerged in many regions and countries around the world. This column is inaugurated with an article by Susan Benigas on the background and successes of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM). ACLM was the first national organization in the academic pursuit of lifestyle medicine and has played a critical role in supporting the expansion of this discipline around the world. Subsequent columns will articulate background and success of lifestyle medicine organizations around the world including Australia and New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Europe, and many others.
This issue of AJLM also marks the continued expansion of the AJLM Editorial Board. We are pleased to announce that Dr Liana Lianov has agreed to join our Editorial Board in the area of “Positive Psychology.” This area has emerged as a very important component of lifestyle medicine, emphasizing the strengths and resilience that can be fostered through lifestyle medicine. Dr Lianov has been a leader in this area.
We are also pleased to welcome Dr Robin Ortiz in the area of “Pediatrics and Internal Medicine” to the AJLM Editorial Board. Dr Ortiz is double boarded in Pediatrics and Internal Medicine. Her particular interest is in the interface between pediatric medicine and adult medicine. Dr Kimberly Parks and Dr Rani Polak have also joined our Editorial Board in the area of “Culinary Medicine.” While our Editorial Board has great strength already in the area of nutrition, we felt it was important to provide specific recommendations of how to apply nutrition in the kitchen, hence the area of culinary medicine. Many medical centers are now offering courses in cooking healthy foods so this topic seems particularly timely.
The theme of the current issue of AJLM is “Lifestyle Medicine and Children.” Over the years, we have published a number of different themed issues in the area of pediatric medicine and this issue continues to build on that background. Our continued emphasis in this area represents a recognition that the roots of many chronic illnesses are found in childhood. Enormous challenges remain in this area. Obesity, hypertension, and diabetes are all rapidly growing in the pediatric population. It is incumbent on lifestyle medicine practitioners to address these issues at the earliest possible time. I believe that the practice of lifestyle medicine in the pediatric population is so important that I have included a superb, 9-chapter section on “Lifestyle Components of Pediatric Medicine” in the 3rd edition of my textbook, Lifestyle Medicine. This section, which was edited by Dr Stephen Daniels, who is Professor and Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, provides definitive evidence-based information on issues related to lifestyle medicine in the pediatric population.
The intellectual basis for lifestyle medicine continues to grow. In the next issue of AJLM, we will be highlighting the topic of “Advances and New Technologies in Lifestyle Medicine,” which promotes the concept that emerging technologies will play an increasingly prominent role in lifestyle medicine.
Also, I am pleased to announce that in 2019 the 3rd edition of the multi-authored Lifestyle Medicine textbook that I edit (Lifestyle Medicine, 3rd edition, CRC Press, 2019) was published. This textbook combines the expertise of more than 180 lifestyle medicine experts from around the world in a 1500-page, double-column textbook. Every branch of medicine has at least one major textbook. I hope and believe that the 3rd edition of this textbook that I edit can serve in this capacity for the field of lifestyle medicine (more information about this textbook can be obtained from the ACLM website or at www.rippehealth.com). Members of ACLM are entitled to a substantial discount on this book. For other individuals, the best way to access the book is through www.amazon.com.
The partnership between AJLM and ACLM continues to grow and expand. ACLM has been the world leader in educational materials and practical applications of lifestyle medicine and has experienced a rapidly expanding membership over the past 5 years. ACLM continues to provide enormously important work.
With regard to AJLM specifically, a number of important events occurred in 2019. For example, AJLM was accepted at PubMed, which means that articles published in AJLM have a very wide dissemination throughout all of academic medicine. AJLM has maintained a subscriber base of over 10 000 individuals and institutions. Within this subscriber cohort, 40% are institutions, which suggests that AJLM is reaching a much larger audience. In 2019, AJLM had over 88 000 downloads of articles, which represents a greater than 20% increase from the previous year.
While much progress has been made in the area of lifestyle medicine, enormous challenges remain. A distinct minority of individuals (in some surveys less than 5%) are following all of those practices such as regular physical activity, proper nutrition, weight management, and avoidance of tobacco products, which are known to lower the risk of chronic disease. Unfortunately, less than 40% of physicians are counseling their patients in these areas. Clearly, this needs to improve.
The future of lifestyle medicine is bright. The evidence of the impact of daily lifestyle habits and actions on health is now overwhelming. Dedicated individuals who are continuing to advance the field give me great confidence that the benefits of this emerging discipline will support the field of lifestyle medicine taking its rightful place in modern health care. AJLM will continue to provide a robust forum in this critically important area.