Vermont Blue Lifestyle Medicine
Helping to expand lifestyle medicine and “food as medicine” knowledge to the provider community.
What is Vermont Blue Lifestyle Medicine?
Vermont Blue Lifestyle Medicine is committed to expanding and empowering our network of clinicians who are passionate and committed to the field of lifestyle medicine through education and programs that can help change the trajectory of one’s health outcomes.
As defined by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM), lifestyle medicine is a medical specialty that uses therapeutic lifestyle interventions as a primary modality to treat chronic conditions including, but not limited to, cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Lifestyle medicine certified clinicians are trained to apply evidence-based, whole-person, prescriptive lifestyle change to treat and, when used intensively, often reverse such conditions. Applying the six pillars of lifestyle medicine—a whole food, plant-predominant eating pattern, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances and positive social connections—also provides effective prevention for these conditions.
Note: We have created this webpage for educational purposes only. Lifestyle Medicine is currently not a covered benefit for members, and therefore not billable.
Lifestyle Medicine Pillars
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Nutrition Use of a whole food, plant-predominant diet to prevent, treat, and reverse chronic illness |
Stress Management Managing negative stress to help lessen anxiety, depression, and immune dysfunction |
Social Connection Positive social connections have beneficial affects on physical, mental, and emotional health |
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Physical Activity Regular, consistent physical activity is important to overall health and resiliency |
Restorative Sleep Improve sleep quality to help improve attention span, mood, insulin resistance, and to help reduce hunger |
Avoidance of Risky Substances Use of tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of chronic diseases and death |
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is a proud member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine Corporate Roundtable.
Educational Opportunities
Become Board Certified
Vermont Blue Lifestyle Medicine, in partnership with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) and the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine (ABLM), is offering Lifestyle Medicine training and board certification to our clinical provider network through a unique, fully-funded scholarship program. This opportunity is available for a limited time.
CME/CE Course Options
Take advantage of a free CME/CE course bundle from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) that provides a foundational, evidence-based introduction to the field of lifestyle medicine with a focus on nutrition to prevent, treat, and reverse chronic disease.
Join Our Board-Certified Clinicians List
Certification in Lifestyle Medicine indicates that you have mastered the science of preventing, treating, and reversing chronic disease in an evidence-based manner with official acknowledgement from the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine (for physicians and specialists) or the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (for professionals and practitioners). We encourage you to join ACLM's board-certified clinician list.
Be A Part Of Vermont's Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group
Additional Opportunities & Resources
The Lift Project is an evidence-based, lifestyle medicine program with a focus on mental health and well-being. Supported by numerous publications and certified by the ACLM, it's an innovative educational tool that can be cost-effectively applied to your patients within reimbursable shared medical appointments.
If you're new to Lifestyle Medicine and interested in learning more about the pillars within lifestyle medicine to prevent, treat, and often reverse many of our top chronic conditions, we compiled some valuable resources to help you get started.
Have questions?
Nancy Hogue, Director of Pharmacy
PharmD
Connect with Nancy to learn more about Vermont Blue Lifestyle Medicine and how we can support you in bringing lifestyle medicine to your patients.