Setting the tone: Plant-based lifestyle roll-out targets New York’s chronic disease burden

11 Feb 2022 --- Pegged as the “most comprehensive” expansion of lifestyle medicine programming in the US, New York City (NYC) officials are rolling out a program that aims to promote plant-based diets, among its lifestyle suggestions.

With the potential to set a precedent for other US cities, the initiative aims to use nutrition to address chronic conditions like Type 2 diabetes and hypertension, which are especially prevalent in communities of color.

“This groundbreaking lifestyle program is designed to incorporate plant-based diet resources, evidence-based nutrition, lifestyle changes and dietitians – everything New York City needs,” says Theresa Gentile, NYC media representative, New York State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

With the potential to impact nearly 9 million New Yorkers, the services will be offered across six public health care sites over the coming year.

“I am hopeful that NYC Health + Hospitals (H+H)’s leading plant-based program will set off ripple effects across health systems all over the country,” says Dr. Mahima Gulati, director of the lifestyle medicine program at Middlesex Health.

She continues that this could inspire the creation of similar programs nationwide to help alleviate chronic disease burden and suffering among all communities. Mayor Adams (left) adopted a whole-food plant-based diet after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

Addressing the leading killer
Modeled off the popular and successful Plant-Based Lifestyle Medicine Program at NYC H+H Bellevue, the project aims to provide patients living with chronic disease the tools to make healthy lifestyle changes.

Each of the healthc are sites facilitating this program will be equipped with a full-time dietitian and health coach, as well as physician teams.

Participants will be referred by their health care providers or can self-refer. Eligibility criteria for participants include the diagnoses of heart disease, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes or health concerns related to obesity.

Even throughout the pandemic, heart disease has remained the leading killer of New Yorkers, with diabetes not too far behind, warns Dr. Ashwin Vasan, senior advisor for public health and incoming commissioner of health.

A holistic approach

Patients who enrol in one of the programs will receive a full medical evaluation by a team physician, with special attention to current lifestyle behaviors and social needs.

They will also meet individually with a dietitian and a health coach and will participate in group education on topics including nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress reduction and other lifestyle pillars.

The lifestyle medicine team will individualize the behavior change approach for each patient, considering cultural traditions, socioeconomic circumstances, family situations and other key factors.

In addition to expanding access to lifestyle medicine services, NYC Health + Hospitals will partner with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine to help provide additional lifestyle medicine training to care teams, as well as with Plant-Powered Metro New York to offer cooking demonstrations to patients.The program could also have a ripple effect for families and communities of those at risk of or living with a chronic disease.

Narrowing racial disparities
The expansion has been propelled by NYC mayor Eric Adams. “This is personal to me – a plant-based lifestyle helped save my life, and I’m thrilled that New Yorkers in every zip code will have access to this critical programming.”

Communities of color are often “bombarded” with unhealthy food choices and marketing, flags New York State senator Zellnor Myrie.

This leads to poor health outcomes and racial disparities in aspects like diabetes and heart disease, he continues.

“With communities of color being disproportionally affected by diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes and other chronic illnesses, broadening access to this program within the H+H system will certainly be a valuable tool in helping patients make healthier – potentially life-saving – changes to their diet and lifestyle,” adds New York City councilmember Mercedes Narcisse, chair of the committee on hospitals.

A shift away from reactionary care
Recent years have seen a shift from treatment toward preventative wellness therapies, with nutritional solutions that elevate heart health being a notable example.

Key to this has been the rise of “food as medicine,” which could hold the potential to reshape the health care system, according to design company IDEO.

Last year, The American College of Lifestyle Medicine launched its first food as medicine course, while Project Well landed US$2 million for its nutrition platform in this space.

In tandem, evidence is mounting for the benefits of plant-based lifestyles. A Norwegian analysis found reducing red meat or processed meat can increase lifespans by nearly two years. Meanwhile, Unilever researchers recently concluded plant-based diets are generally better for health and the environment.

Edited by Katherine Durrell

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