Lifestyle medicine program begins citywide expansion from NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi

Lifestyle medicine program begins citywide expansion from NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi

September 21, 2023

NYC Health + Hospitals announced today that its nationally recognized lifestyle medicine program has expanded to NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi in the Bronx. This is the first of six new sites that will make the program available citywide. The pilot program began at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue in 2019 with support from then-borough president Eric Adams and has already seen hundreds of patients. The team at the Lifestyle Medicine Program provides evidence-based lifestyle recommendations that include eating a healthy plant-based diet, increasing physical activity, improving sleep habits, reducing stress, avoiding drug use, and strengthening social connections. We support patients in making these changes. Adults with prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or health concerns related to excess weight are eligible to enroll. The program can accept 48 new patients each month, and the care team at each site includes physicians, nurses, nutritionists, health coaches, community health workers, psychologists, program coordinators, and athletic trainers. Following the launch in Jacobi, NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull, Kings County, Lincoln, Elmhurst, and Gotham Health, Vanderbilt will expand in the coming months. Current patients at NYC Health + Hospitals can receive a referral to the program from their healthcare provider. Those who are not already patients at her NYC Health + Hospitals can find out if they are eligible to enroll in the program by contacting 347-507-3695.

“New York City is once again leading the way in expanding lifestyle medicine collaborations more broadly than ever before.” new york mayor eric adams. “This is personal to me. A plant-based lifestyle saved my life, and I'm excited that even more New Yorkers will have access to this important program in their own neighborhoods.” I applaud NYC Health + Hospitals' efforts to deepen the administration's commitment to equal opportunity and address health disparities across the borough. Lifestyle Medicine is the prescription to stop spending money and help all New Yorkers live the healthy lifestyles they deserve.”

“A healthy lifestyle has the power to help people with diabetes, prediabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and other health concerns related to excess weight make significant progress toward achieving their health goals.” there is.” Kate McKenzie, Executive Director of Food Policy, Mayor's Office. “However, improving access and continuity of care is essential to continued success. Thanks to NYC Health + Hospitals, we are providing new training opportunities for our staff while providing patient-centered We are ensuring team-based lifestyle health services are available to more New Yorkers with additional facilities in our communities. We are working together to address health and wellness disparities in our city and nation. , applauds New York City Health + Hospitals' efforts to help the growing number of New Yorkers disproportionately affected by chronic diseases transition to whole foods, plant-based diets, and other diets that are healthy. They deserve behavioral change.”

“We are thrilled to celebrate the launch of our lifestyle medicine program at NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi,” he said. Michelle Macken, MD, FACP, DipABLM, Executive Director of Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine, NYC Health + Hospitals. “Healthy lifestyle behaviors are the foundation for the prevention and treatment of common chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension. The Lifestyle Medicine Program's talented multidisciplinary team helps patients develop healthier habits. We provide the guidance you need to develop your knowledge and skills while also helping you address food insecurity and other key barriers to lifestyle change. NYC Health + has provided this valuable resource to our patients and communities. Hats off to Hospitals/Jacobi.”

“A healthy lifestyle is essential to successfully combating the most common chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. By expanding our Lifestyle Medicine program to Jacobi, we are empowering our patients to lead healthy lives. You will gain the knowledge and tools to improve your basic diet and lifestyle habits.” Christopher Mastromano, CEO, NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi | North Central Bronx.

“I'm excited to be a leader among physicians championing Jacobi's lifestyle medicine program,” he said. Dr. Isa Harewood, Medical Director of the Lifestyle Medicine Program at NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi. “We know that providing patients with guidance and support to achieve a healthier lifestyle dramatically reduces long-term chronic disease. It helps you live your life.”

“I joined a new lifestyle medicine program a month ago and already feel much better,” she said. Skyler Myres, patient at NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi. “I'm not diabetic anymore. My blood pressure is down and I don't need to take blood pressure medication. I have more energy. When I exercise in the morning, I feel like I can do things easier than before. I really enjoy the camaraderie of the team and they always answer when I call them with questions. I feel welcome here.”

Lifestyle Medicine's 9-month program provides all patients with the following resources:

• 6～9 one-on-one counseling session. Patients receive two to three visits each with a doctor or nurse, a nutritionist, and a health coach to develop and implement a personalized care plan.

• 14 group classes per week. Topics include how to read nutrition labels, grocery shopping, meal planning and preparation, and how to manage sleep and stress.

• 8 exercise classes per weekPatients work with an athletic trainer and take home resistance bands for strength training.

• Get seasonal fresh food delivered free of charge 6 times a month. Patients work with a nutritionist to learn how to incorporate fruits and vegetables into their diets, regardless of their culinary tradition or skill level. Each produce box comes with delicious and healthy recipes developed by our team's nutritionists. (Release in early 2024)

• health bucks. Patients will now have access to Health Bucks, which are $2 coupons that can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at New York City Farmers' Market. Five of the seven program sites have farmers markets on campus.

• cooking skills videos. Patients can learn cooking skills through short videos developed by the Lifestyle Medicine team in partnership with online cooking school Rouxbe. This video presents healthy dishes from a variety of traditional cuisines, including Caribbean, South and Central America, and South Asia, translated into Spanish, Mandarin, Bengali, and Haitian Creole. (Release in early 2024)

• A plant-based cookbook. A cookbook on plant-based eating for type 2 diabetes is also available.

• Support access to benefits. Community health workers will help eligible patients access SNAP benefits and nutritional resources.

Each location will partner with local community-based organizations to explore ways to support community members with nutrition and other aspects of lifestyle change. NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi's lifestyle medicine program will collaborate with Throggs Neck Community Alliance in the Bronx.

“Given the widespread health challenges facing the local Bronx community, Throggs Neck Community Alliance is excited to welcome the Lifestyle Medicine program at NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi '' he said. Angela Torres, Executive Director, Throggs Neck Community Alliance. “Our community suffers from increasing rates of diabetes, cancer, and other diseases that can be controlled by practicing basic lifestyle approaches. We provide supportive care as well as the tools you need to get on the path to optimal health. The establishment of the Lifestyle Medicine Program at Jacobi is a partnership with organizations like the Throggs Neck Community Alliance. In partnership with , we will provide local Bronx residents with innovative lifestyle changes that will be easily accessible and lead to changes that will lead to longer, healthier lives.”

Once all facilities are open, the program will be able to accommodate approximately 4,000 patients per year. With support from New York City, NYC Health + Hospitals will commit $3 million this year and approximately $5 million annually going forward to fund staffing and program services for lifestyle medicine programs.

Particular attention is paid to ensuring that the curriculum is appropriate for patients with diverse backgrounds and experiences. For example, the Spanish curriculum reflects a cultural adaptation rather than a mere translation of the English version. Additionally, individual visits by healthcare providers, nutritionists, and health coaches allow for customized behavior change recommendations based on each patient's social, economic, cultural, and family background.

Formal evaluation of the Bellevue pilot program shows the success of the implementation process, very high demand for services (more than 850 patients requested enrollment in the first few months), clinical and statistical improvements in weight, glycemic control, and weight. Positive health outcomes were revealed, including significant improvements. Diastolic blood pressure.

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Media contact: 212-788-3339; PressOffice@nychhc.org

About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the nation's largest municipal health system, serving more than 1 million New Yorkers annually at more than 70 patient care facilities in the city's five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers strengthens care coordination with the system's trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agencies and MetroPlus Health Plans. All of this is supported by 11 key hospitals. Our diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is uniquely focused on helping New Yorkers, without exception, live the healthiest lives possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and connect with us on Facebook. twitterInstagram, and LinkedIn.