First, I would like to sincerely thank everyone for their support and participation in the Taiwan Society of Lifestyle Medicine. I am honored to be here to share my views on the future of medicine.
The Six Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine
Lifestyle medicine is centered around six evidence-based pillars: nutrition, physical activity, good sleep, stress management, positive social connections, and avoiding harmful substances. Trained clinicians and professionals provide interventions, utilizing these six pillars to establish personalized healthy habits aimed at preventing, treating, and reversing chronic diseases. Health is closely related to our daily habits; if one remains in poor habits over time, it will ultimately lead to health issues. The six pillars complement each other and are the foundation for improving lifestyle. This comprehensive and interdisciplinary strategy places the responsibility of initiation and integration on physicians, which is an indispensable role.
Combating Lifestyle-Related Diseases through Lifestyle Medicine
In modern society, "lifestyle-related diseases" caused by poor lifestyle choices are becoming increasingly common. We can change this situation by promoting healthy and personalized "lifestyle medicine." This means we need to reassess personal nutrition, exercise, and mental health, providing comprehensive health guidance and resources to help individuals take proactive actions. This is a journey that requires persistence, but every small healthy choice will accumulate into long-term results. Through our collective efforts, we can distance ourselves from lifestyle-related diseases and establish a healthier, more vibrant future.
The Future of Medicine is Lifestyle Medicine
"The future of medicine is lifestyle medicine" is not just a slogan; it is the belief we uphold in the Taiwan Society of Lifestyle Medicine. Looking back, traditional medicine primarily focused on treating diseases. However, with changing times, modern lifestyles differ greatly from the past, where long-term high-pressure work environments, busy lifestyles, and poor eating habits have become the causes of contemporary diseases. Therefore, from a forward-looking perspective, we integrate medicine with lifestyle to help the public achieve holistic health.
Lifestyle as Treatment
The establishment of the Taiwan Society of Lifestyle Medicine aims to promote this important medical concept. We are dedicated to advancing research and education in lifestyle medicine, actively collaborating with relevant organizations to provide more health-related activities and knowledge in Taiwan. We aim to help more people understand the impact of lifestyle on health and adopt proactive lifestyle changes, recognizing that lifestyle is a remedy. Furthermore, we envision that the role of physicians in the future will no longer be solely about treating diseases but also about offering personalized healthy lifestyle choices to reduce medication use and guide the public toward healthier living.
Healthy Taiwan: Together We Strive
Future physician recommendations should routinely include lifestyle prescriptions, regardless of whether patients are facing acute or chronic conditions, or even if they are healthy. Through integrated and personalized lifestyle improvement strategies, we aspire to open the doors to health and happiness for each individual case. This is a substantial responsibility, but we firmly believe that physicians and professionals can accompany and guide individuals on this journey, helping them find confidence, strength, and change in taking responsibility for their health. This is not only part of medical work but also support for the future of each individual. Let us work together to create a hopeful tomorrow for every case. Once again, thank you for your contributions and dedication. I look forward to advancing together with you for health and happiness.
The First chairperson of the Taiwan Association of Lifestyle Medicine
Director of Chi Mei Medical Center, Chi Mei Medical Foundation