Dear member,

The establishment this month of a new public body to tackle “the causes, not just the symptoms, of poor health” inevitably caught the attention of the UK lifestyle medicine community.  

The Office for Health Promotion (OHP) was hailed by the Prime Minister as crucial to the effective “prevention of illness and disease”. Its priorities will include mental health, obesity and the promotion of physical activity - as part of “national efforts to improve and level up the nation’s health”. And we’re promised the office will deliver a “step change” in public health policy - with England’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty playing a key role. 

BSLM was quick to respond to this encouraging development, with a letter sent to Professor Whitty from our chairman Dr Rob Lawson, commending the government for its proposals. 

We await further detail from the government in the coming months. In the meantime, we plan to engage fully with the new body to make sure lifestyle medicine is given due prominence in its work.  

We are also pleased to have secured the OHP’s new nursing representative, Professor Jamie Waterall, as a guest speaker at our annual conference in Edinburgh this September. 

As always, we would welcome your views on this topic and any others of relevance to our community. 

Thank you for your continued support – and read on for some important updates from BSLM and the wider world of lifestyle medicine ... 

New for 2021 we are launching a monthly webinar series – and we are starting with our first session at 7pm on April 20th (April will be a BSLM members only event).  Going forward, these webinars will be at no charge for BSLM members and a small charge for non-members. 

These informative webinars are an opportunity for us to come together, to learn and to share our knowledge and experiences. It’s about keeping the lifestyle medicine conversation going and building momentum and discussion ahead of our annual conference.  

We are delighted to welcome BSLM regional director Dr Alka Patel this month for a talk on happiness and health, as well as Dr Emma Short, who will be talking about the importance of work-life balance.  

Register here for our free webinar

As well as a chance to enjoy talks from Alka and Emma there will also be a live Q&A at the end of the session.  

2021 marks the fifth anniversary of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine – and during Lifestyle Medicine Week (May 29 – June 5) we will be taking the opportunity to celebrate.  

We’d love to hear your thoughts on lifestyle medicine during the week – what it means to you and how it is changing the way you support patients with chronic health conditions.  

Let’s all do our bit to raise public awareness of the potential of lifestyle medicine and our powerful six pillars of health improvement: nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress, harmful substance reduction/cessation, and social connection. 

Why not use the week to make a new #1change to improve your health and wellbeing?  

Or, since it's our 5th Birthday, why not take part in a sponsored run, walk, swim or cycle to help raise funds for BSLM? You could run or walk 5k, cycle for five hours, or swim five lengths of your local swimming pool. It’s up to you and it’s important to do whatever you feel comfortable with! 

We’ll send you details of how to link this to our Just Giving page soon.  Please share what you are doing with your friends, colleagues and family – and tell them about the life-saving benefits of the lifestyle medicine approach. And connect with us on our social media channels and let us know what you’re doing.  

On social media use the hashtags #LMWeek #LifestyleMedicine and #1change.

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There’s just a few weeks left to secure early bird discounted tickets for our fifth annual conference in Edinburgh this September. 

More details of our confirmed speakers are now available on the BSLM website - and we’re delighted to reveal we have booked British long distance cyclist Mark Beaumont as our after dinner speaker.

We hope as many of you as possible can join us in person for our five-year anniversary conference – but don’t forget you can book a virtual ticket if you would prefer not to travel.  

If you are coming to Edinburgh now you can get discounted rates on local hotels thanks to a special arrangement with Reservation Highway.  

BSLM Latest News

There’s still plenty of time to join the hundreds of clinicians and health professionals who have signed up to work towards the International Board of Lifestyle Medicine diploma through BSLM. 

We are now running a monthly information session for those interested in taking the course. The session will run on the last Thursday of every month at 6pm. The first session will be on Thursday the 6th of May. Find out more on our website. 

This year’s diploma exam is scheduled to take place at a number of local test centres in the UK during November and December (dates and venues tbc).  

That gives you plenty of time to study and to clock up your ‘in person’ learning – whether through online learning or at “real world” events such as our annual conference.  

Everything you need to know about the diploma is on the BSLM website – and don’t forget the BSLM office is here to answer any questions or queries you might have. 

Don’t forget, the 3rd Edition of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine Board Review Course is now available – and is a key resource for anyone taking the exam. 

One of our study group leaders, Dr Adam Smith has also written a short blog on his experience of taking the diploma - essential reading whether you are already signed up for 2021 or thinking about doing the diploma.   

Stress management trainer course
Saturday, May 1 2021 10am - 4pm Online on Zoom
One-day training course for healthcare professionals delivered by consultant psychiatrist Dr Sarmila Sinha from Mental Health Online Training. The course is aimed at those wanting to take the lead in providing stress management support, training and supervision in their organisations.

Afternoon Tea with Docs
Every Sunday at 5pm Online on Zoom
Join Dr Linda Mizun and Dr Erica Lin every Sunday for relaxed and educational health and lifestyle medicine discussion aimed at health professionals and the general public.  This month's session are focusing autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disorders and arthritis with our very own Chairman Dr Rob Lawson, speaking in May

Diet and social determinants of health among South Asians in the United States
7pm Thursday, April 22 2021 Online
Free webinar from Plant Based Health Professionals with Dr Alka Kanaya which will examine the diversity of the South Asian diet and the three main dietary patterns found in the MASALA cohort study. The course will also explain the distinction between healthy and unhealthy plant-based foods and how they are associated with future risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The Future of Healthcare is Lifestyle Medicine
Until July 31st 2021 Online
This digital modular course provided by online CPD provider Inspired Medics is aimed at GPs looking to use lifestyle medicine in their consultations with patients.

Exercise better than pills for pain says Nice
The medicines watchdog Nice has recommended that chronic pain sufferers should take exercise rather than painkillers and be offered talking therapies and acupuncture. The National Institute for health and Care Excellence says between 1% and 6% of the population in England and Wales has chronic pain and there is little or no evidence that analgesics improve their quality of life. Read more

Rise in loneliness since pandemic
Almost one in 14 people in the UK say they feel lonely according to an ONS Report – up 40% since last spring. Loneliness is also likely to increase the risk of Covid-19. Are we facing another pandemic of social isolation? Read more

New guide for supporting patients with obesity
How can those working in primary care support patients who need help with weight management? Primary care professionals looking to support people with obesity can now access a new management algorithm Read more

LowHDL and high triglycerides point to Covid risk 
A study in the Journal nature has examined the link between LowHDL and high triglycerides and poor Covid outcomes. These two markers are heavily influenced by physical activity and diet. The report highlights the importance of discussing diet in medical consultations and the need to support clinicians to provide better advice to patients. Read more

Suicide prevention in England: fifth progress report published 
The Suicide Prevention Strategy for England has published its fifth progress report outlining steps taken to reduce deaths by suicide since 2019. Read more at gov.uk

DoH publishes covid mental health recovery plan
The Department of Health and Social Care has published its plan to prevent, mitigate and respond to the mental health impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic during 2021 and 2022. Read the Covid-19 mental health and wellbeing recovery action plan

New grants for councils to run weight management services 
Local authorities in England can now apply for a new grant to enable commissioning of weight management services. The adult weight management services grant is a new ring-fenced grant totalling £30.5 million.