Lifestyle Medicine Week May-be our favourite part of this month! Take a peek to see our May lifestyle medicine updates!
No images? Click here
May 2024
Welcome member to
Your home of lifestyle medicine news
May has been and gone and we can't believe we're 5 months into the year already. Mostly because of the weather here!
We hope you've had another fantastic month, we definitely have.
We have another jam-packed newsletter for you this month with all the latest Lifestyle Medicine updates.
Below is your guide to all things Lifestyle Medicine this month, insight into May at BSLM and also what's in store come in June.
In this month's Newsletter...
HEADLINE NEWS
BSLM is International!
An update on International Relationships
BSLM have been very active over the last few years and months internationally. We currently hold the Presidency of the European Lifestyle Medicine Council (ELMC), and sit on the Executive Committee of the World Lifestyle Medicine Organisation (WLMO). BSLM ED Fraser Quin is also ED for both of these international organisations. It has, however, been a particularly busy few weeks.
A first European Summit of Lifestyle Medicine organisations took place in Alicante in May, with the joint aims of agree a Lifestyle Medicine (LM) position statement (publish from the document), and to agree closer collaboration between the many organisations throughout Europe who promote LM. The next phase of this project will be in the delivery of a European LM Summit, also in Alicante, in October. It is hoped that this will become an annual event and move across Europe each year. There is great energy around LM at the moment and we need to seize the enthusiasm of the 17 attendees at the Summit. To that end we have established a European Research and a Policy group to guide European LM strategy, but also to sit alongside national strategies from both local societies such as BSLM, reflecting national priorities around obesity, mental health, cancer and so on.
Hot off the press, the General Assembly of WLMO has just met (30/5/24, 2 pm UK time), and was attended by 35 members from around the world. Representation was there from all continents, and organisations of all sizes (phot from Georgina). President Ife Monye introduced highlights form the past year, with priorities for 2024/25. WLMO has established Task Forces to take specific pieces if work forward, in the areas of:
- International Development
- Education and Accreditation
- Social Media
- Research
- Fundraising
Task Force coordinators gave members a whistle stop tour of recent activity, with an array of exciting opportunities emerging for the next year. All members of the WLMO give their services voluntarily, so it is wonderful to see the excellent work being done, in a collaborative and inclusive way, globally. WLMO is an Association registered in Geneva, and is a not for profit organisation. It is also the only fully constituted, registered, democratic global LM organisation.
Exciting opportunities ahead for BSLM, ELMC and WLMO.
European Lifestyle Medicine Symposium: May Summit
WLMO General Assembly - 35 countries in one (Zoom Chat) room!
ANNOUNCEMENT: Abstracts Deadline Extension
Deadline has been extended from the 14th to the 28th of June!
If you haven't already, tell us about your successful lifestyle medicine projects- and quick!
We understand that life is busy so to reassure you, you have 27 days left to get your Abstracts submitted to us for the grand reveal at BSLM2024!
Over the upcoming weeks to conference, we will be doing sneak-peeks into the Abstracts submitted on our social media, so do keep your eyes peeled. We can't wait to share with you the pioneering work you are doing to further the lifestyle medicine movement.
Early Bird tickets for BSLM2024 now on sale!
We wanted to update you, if you haven't seen already, that our Super Early Bird ticket sale is now closed, and Early Bird tickets are now in circulation if you haven't managed to grab yours yet!
Both Super Early Bird and Early Bird are the best possible rates for members, so make sure you grab yours now if you haven't already. We can't wait to see you there!
Get your ticket for what is always one of the most anticipated parts of the entire conference – the Gala Dinner! If you've been before, you'll know it's not one to miss!
Make sure you've got your ticket as this is not part of the BSLM24 ticket price. We hope you have a comfy pair of dancing shoes at the ready!
LIFESTYLE MEDICINE IN FOCUS
Some noteworthy Lifestyle Medicine features within the recent news in Britain.
Genetics alone can mean a 21% greater risk of early death, research finds, but people can improve their chances
Commenting on this Article Release, Dr Ellen Fallows, VP of BSLM said - “Your genes are not your destiny, high tech answers through genomics and precision medicine are costly and inequitable. Public health and lifestyle medicine, though less glamorous, are much safer, cheaper and effective” on this fantastic article from The Guardian
This article and below study, very much underlies our approach here at BSLM - everyone has an element of control over their health and wellbeing - with lifestyle medicine being an approach to start seeing impactful changes to your health!
Have you seen the latest releases in the Lifestyle Medicine Journal?
This one is hot off the press, as of Tuesday this week!
The release is called Healthy lifestyle scales to assess general and clinical population: A systematic review with narrative synthesis - very in line with BSLM24's theme!
Lifestyle Medicine Week 2024
Last week, 18th-24th of May, was all about Lifestyle Medicine!
Things were kicked off on our social media channels as we covered the foundations of What Lifestyle Medicine is, and Who we are as BSLM and what our community does, and from Monday 20th to Friday 24th, we covered the 6 Pillars. Throughout the week we released 6 Member-Exclusive recordings to the public that were talks, relating to the 6 pillars from our Previous BSLM conferences.
Even though these recordings have moved now, you still have as a Member exclusive access to the entire library of recordings at your finger-tips under "Events" and "previous Conferences" on our Website! Don't forget to watch back if you missed them!
We also wanted to advise that some of the speakers featured are returning to BSLM2024 - we hope you're as excited as we are for their talks this year!
"Britain is performing poorly" - Institute of Health Equity Report 2024
We are disappointed to read the latest about the widening gap in health in England. Lifestyle Medicine is a core medical skill but cannot be practiced without policy and public health that enables people to lead healthy lives
We hope to read a more positive outcome in future reports, however reports like these are important in enticing change.
The Institute of Health Equity released a report - with news coverage on it this month summarising the following:
"Poorer people dying increasingly younger than richer people as 'dismal' life expectancy gap grows, report finds"
The Director of IHE being Sir Michael Marmot who you may remember seeing at BSLM 2023, was quoted in the news coverage also:
"Not only is health the foremost concern of your local constituents, communities and businesses, health is also an indicator of how well a nation is performing. Unfortunately, Britain is performing poorly."
Other Lifestyle Medicine News and Events
Symprove are sponsoring this event!
Join Dr Tom Milligan on Wednesday 12th June at 7pm in a virtual training session for GPs ‘Improving Consistency in IBS Care’, exploring how to apply guidelines in clinical practice to optimise patient care in IBS, and the emerging role of the gut microbiome and probiotics. This meeting is sponsored by Symprove.
NEW YAKULT SCIENCE RESOURCE: THE FEMALE GUT HEALTH GUIDE
To mark Women’s Health Awareness Month, Yakult Science have launched their newest resource for HCPs. This booklet describes the intricate relationship between the gut microbiome and female sex hormones, with particular focus on different stages of a woman’s life, including:
Menstruation
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Endometriosis
Fertility
Pregnancy
Menopause
Email below via the link, or in the image, for a PDF version or free hardcopies!
LATEST NEWS AT BSLM
BSLM: We've had a busy, event-filled month!
We have had a really busy month here at BSLM (which we usually do) but with lots of external events, attending conferences and spreading the word of Lifestyle Medicine to a wider audience!
We've included some updates below to give you an idea of what we've been up to. If you were at any of these events, we hope you were able to pop by and say hello! It's always lovely to see current members at our events.
BSLM at Peak Health Coaching Conference
The Personalised Care Conference took place in Sheffield this month, hosted by Peak Health Coaching. BSLM’s Dr Rupa Joshi, Transformation lead, and Andrew Howie, Chef Finance and Commercial officer attended on behalf of BSLM. Many Thanks to Dr Ollie Hart, Director of Peak Health Coaching, for inviting us. Rupa and Mark Quirk, Health and Wellbeing coach at Wokingham North Primary Care Network and member of BSLM, hosted two breakout sessions titled “What is Lifestyle Medicine” and tested a new resource for helping members to take Lifestyle Medicine histories.
This resource has been adapted to be used as a handy written aide-memoir, electronically on a desktop and as a poster in the consulting room with a QR code. It can be used by any health care professional, or even given to the patient to fill out.
Find a sneak peek below. We will release this resource to you with further information shortly, so keep your eyes peeled on our emails!
BSLM at Humble Health
BSLM also attended the 2nd Humble Health Conference, and Dr Rupa Joshi was invited to talk on our behalf!
The Founder of Humble Health, Dr Ashish Bhatia wrote a fantastic piece for us this month to give you a real feel of what Humble Health's conference is like!
Before you carry on reading, do have a look at at Dr Rupa Joshi's talk on Supporting Change in Healthcare Settings below.
Other Events
Primary Care Show
Our Relationship Manager Emma (left) & Chief Operations Officer Emma (middle) and Dr Ahfiya Alvi our Regional Lead for West Midlands (right), attended the Primary Care Show - In 2023 the show delivered over 5600 healthcare professionals, continuing its legacy as the largest primary care event in the UK.
Dr Sagal Shire, RN Adult Nursing, Public Health Masters and Health Coach (above), did a fantastic talk alongside us exhibiting there. It was great to meet so many of you and integrate in the HCP sphere!
Public Health Collaboration Conference
Dr Fraser Quin, our Executive Director, attended Public Health Conference in London. It was their 8th annual conference, and welcomed all members of the public and healthcare professionals to learn from international and homegrown experts about improving metabolic health.
The themes did intertwine with our own upcoming Annual Conference, so we hope you enjoyed the content if you were there!
What's happening in Our Communities?
Our monthly Live Well Update
With the Live Well East Lothian Team
Funding bid won for Live Well East Lothian
Congratulations to Rachel Cox, BSLM Communities Officer, on a successful funding bid for our local delivery arm, Live Well East Lothian. With increased focused on this part of our Charity, Rachel has been getting to grips with the current model and identifying areas for growth and improvement in reach throughout East Lothian and nationally. This funding is greatly appreciated for new marketing and increasing engagement, as well as covering delivery costs.
A big thank you to the Queensberry House Trust, local to East Lothian, for supporting our community.
Connecting Locally
Earlier this month our COO, Emma Mulligan, was kindly invited to join the North Berwick Sporting Memories group and introduce our Live Well East Lothian classes to the group.
"It's always great to work with other local Charities. Many of our participants join us for the social connection and the benefits from that are just as important as those gained from the movement and exercise so being aware of other groups in the area means we're able to connect them with more options. It's also a great opportunity to ensure the Members of those groups are aware of what we do and how they can integrate more movement themselves.”
Sporting Memories are a national charity and social enterprise that helps older people to reminisce, replay and reconnect through the power of sport and physical activity.
Featured Podcasts
As you'll know we have some fantastic podcasts on our radar. Podcasts are a great way of getting all the latest insights and information on Lifestyle Medicine, and beyond!
Recommended Listening for the Month:
What is lifestyle medicine and how can it help patients?
Talking General Practice with VP Dr Ellen Fallows
An oldie but a goodie! We thought this one would be a good reminder around our upcoming 10 minute consultation resource being launched early June!
" Talking General Practice talks to Dr Ellen Fallows, vice president of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine.
During this conversation Ellen explains how GPs can make use of lifestyle medicine in a 10-minute consultation, some of the evidence that supports the use of this approach to help improve outcomes for patients and how lifestyle medicine can help GPs tackle health inequalities."
Have you listened yet? if you haven't, get inspired and listen below!
Our Podcasts
The Microbiome Medics Newest Release:
Ep.17 - Sowing the Seeds of Wellness: The Role of Soil Health in Human Microbiomes with Lee Holdstock
The Movement Prescription Podcast Newest Releases:
Ep.23 - Healing Through Nature: How Green Spaces Improve Health
Every time one of the podcasts above are released we'll be updating the newsletter so keep an eye out for updates here too for your monthly listening fix!
Introducing Lumi Foundation!
We're aligning with the work they do.
We've made connections with Lumi Foundation. They're doing great work through their activities, foster a great approach and ethos.
So what is Lumi Foundation all about?
We'll let them explain:
"Lumi Foundation is a registered charity with one goal in mind - bringing yoga to all.
Teaching yoga to a wide range of groups, including the elderly, people with disabilities, refugees and those recovering from addiction, we deliver classes in community centres, sheltered housing communities, in partnership with other charities and via livestream.
Lumi Foundation creates community and connection in every class, improving mental, physical and social well-being and combatting loneliness.
Everyone is welcome and we are making a difference in people’s lives."
We can't wait to hear more from this fantastic community! Don't forget to check out their website or contact for further info.
If you're local to London and you're free tomorrow evening, they do have a workshop event, more details below:
Breathe Move Write - Sat 1st June @ Lumi Power Yoga, 121 King Street, Hammersmith, London
Project 500 - Mind Over Mountains
Are you an individual, business owner, team leader, or school teacher? Need some adventure inspiration?
Project 500 is a movement to raise £500,000 for Mind Over Mountains by June 2025, so that we can support more people with their mental health through nature.
How?
We’re looking for 500 individuals, organisations, schools and groups to join our Project 500 and set their own 500 challenge - where everything from 5km to 500km is celebrated, with or without the number 500!
They are inviting businesses and organisations to make a pledge to support their own team wellbeing with access to our mental health resources, whilst supporting wellbeing in their wider community.
They also aim to educate at least 100 schools in mental health awareness along the way with virtual wellbeing talks.
Moving Medicine: They need your Feedback!
Deadline for your feedback is 5th June!
"Do you work in healthcare? And do you talk about physical activity with your patients?
Moving Medicine is website and store of online resources to help healthcare professionals promote physical activity. But we love you to help us make it better!
Whether you use these resources or not, we’d appreciate your input in this short 5 minute survey below.
Thanks in advance!"
FEATURED BSLM EVENTS
Head to the dedicated BSLM events page for the full list of upcoming events
Our Monthly Webinar for June is coming soon...
..here's a sneak peek to keep you going!
Join us on the 18th June 2024 @ 7pm
We can't wait to see you there - we'll get all the details circulating soon!
Thanks for joining us in May!
The Webinar for May is available to watch back now on our website for our Members!
Did you make it to our Lifestyle Medicine and Nutrition Seminar?
Following our last Seminar, Lifestyle Medicine In Practice, we were delighted to present to you the first in our series, Lifestyle Medicine and Nutrition on the 28th of May!
We hope you were able to make it and found the content and agenda engaging and informative through theory and practical examples too!
If you were able to attend, we'd love to have your feedback, do pop it in the form below. We can't wait to announce our next Lifestyle Medicine Seminar very soon!
Other Events
Schedule the below in your diary for June & Beyond!
British Pain Society Annual General Meeting
Mediterranean Lifestyle Medicine Institute 2nd International Symposium
Join the Mediterranean Lifestyle Medicine Institute for their 2nd International Symposium with the theme of “Exploring the health effects of the traditional Mediterranean Lifestyle: What is known and what needs to be done.”
This event is by Invitation Only
No Life Half Lived with Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland
The final out of the series - 5th June from 10.30am-12pm - Online
IPM 2024
6-8th June 2024 @ QEII Centre, Westminster, London UK
Integrative & Personalised Medicine Congress 2024
Members of the BSLM can register to attend the conference at the discounted 'members rate', see the members section for details. Conference prices start from £149 and workshop & exhibition prices start from just £25 per day.
Details on your Member Exclusive Discount further down in our Membership and Opportunities section, or on our website.
NatureMind 2024
Join NatureMind for an all day exploration into latest research & best practice in nature-based social prescribing with workshops, discussions, presentations and demonstrations.
Mind Over Mountains & the University of Central Lancashire invite you to the 3rd national conference on green social prescribing.
'NatureMind' - Friday 7 June 2024 - tickets strictly limited & available to book now.
An all-day conference for practitioners, academics, commissioners, social prescribers, policymakers & all those with an interest in the power of nature & physical activity in supporting mental health.
An exploration into latest research & best practice in nature-based social prescribing; via presentations, workshops, discussion & practical demonstrations, indoors & out.
The conference will identify successes; as well as barriers preventing more widespread provision of nature & activity based approaches to wellbeing. This will contribute to a report on the very latest status in the UK on green social prescribing to drive further change.
Featuring Dr Radha Modgil, National Academy for Social Prescribing, Natural England, The Wildlife Trusts, The Royal College of Psychiatrists, Intelligent Health UK, British Society of Lifestyle Medicine, Anxiety UK, RED January , True North Project, and many more - speaking, panellists, and practical workshop sessions.
Concessionary tickets are available for those who cannot afford the full ticket price - please email naturemind@mindovermountains.org.uk to request a discount code.
See you there!
PULSE 365 LIVE Birmingham
11th June @ The National Conference Centre, West Midlands, B92 OEJ
RCPsych International Congress
BSLM Aberdeen Region - What is Lifestyle Medicine
West Midlands Lifestyle Medicine Talk and Walk
London Lifestyle Medicine Learning and Networking Event
Learning Academy
Get the Mediterranean Diet course for free!
As you're most likely aware, we, being the Spanish Institute of Lifestyle Medicine and ourselves, were both proud to present the first ever European Lifestyle Medicine Symposium.
Have you ever thought of the Mediterranean Diet Course before by Dr Catherine Itsiopoulos?
Dr Catherine Itsiopoulos is a recognised leader in Dietetics and researcher in Mediterranean diet studies in Australia and internationally - she's also Vice-President of the Mediterranean Lifestyle Medicine Institute. The course is rich in information, starting from the foundations up. The Mediterranean diet isn't just another diet - it's a way of life!
All of those who sign up will be enrolled into the course two weeks prior to the Symposium to allow them time to enjoy the course before experiencing the joys of the Mediterranean in person. It also is 1hr CPD too!
We can't wait to see you there, make sure to grab your ticket! If you have any queries about the event, do contact us through the button below on office@bslm.org.uk
Have you completed our Core Accreditation?
Have you already unlocked the Power of Lifestyle Medicine with the LMCA?
We'd love to hear from you if you have some feedback on the course, and would like to show the world how much of a difference it's made to your career, your outlook, or your life!
NHS NETWORKS
Top News Stories in May
Addressing health inequalities across allied health professional services
Improve the resilience of your GP practices
Technologies offer opportunities to save time
Role of pharmacists in mental health
Community forensic child and young people mental health service
Birth trauma inquiry
Out-of-Hospital Care Models programme for people experiencing homelessness
Email us - office@bslm.org.uk
