Transform your health through practical, daily choices
Discover a science-backed, personalized approach to medicine designed around your life. Imagine taking control of your health with practical, everyday habit changes. At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Lifestyle Medicine helps you manage and even prevent chronic diseases like diabetes and dementia by focusing on nutrition, movement, sleep, stress reduction and other lifestyle factors.Whether your goal is to lower your disease risk, reduce your medications, regain your energy, or simply feel your best, our team guides you with proven, research-based strategies for lasting change. This service is led by board-certified physicians from the departments of Family and Community Medicine and Internal Medicine at Ohio State.
How Lifestyle Medicine differs from traditional care
Focusing on root causes, not just symptoms: Traditional medical care excels at diagnosing illness and managing symptoms through prescriptions or procedures. While often necessary, these treatments don't always address why the condition developed. Lifestyle Medicine targets the underlying lifestyle factors to help you heal.
Enhancing your existing medical care: Lifestyle Medicine doesn't replace traditional care—it strengthens it. By pairing advanced medical treatments with proven lifestyle strategies, you get a comprehensive approach for optimal long-term health.
Our program: 6-month small group cohort
Our signature program centers on an interactive, small-group format designed to deliver maximum support and expert care over six transformative months.
- Double the expert care in every session: Each monthly 1.5-to-2-hour visit is co-led by a certified Lifestyle Medicine physician alongside an expert specialist such as an Exercise Specialist, Psychotherapist, Health Coach, or Clinical Pharmacist. You get comprehensive, multidimensional care every time you meet.
- The power of community: Health journeys are easier and more fulfilling together. You’ll join a tight-knit cohort of peers facing similar goals, creating a safe space for encouragement, shared motivation and accountability.
- More time to learn and grow: Extended visit times give you room to ask questions, practice hands-on strategies and build habits that stick for life.
- Location: In-person at our New Albany location or joining a telehealth video visit from anywhere in Ohio.
Prefer one-on-one support? While our small group cohorts offer the most comprehensive support and community, we recognize everyone’s circumstances are unique. If a group format isn’t the right fit for your preference, individual sessions are also available.
How Lifestyle Medicine helps manage chronic disease
Rather than relying only on prescriptions or procedures, Lifestyle Medicine targets six core lifestyle pillars that influence long-term health:
- Nutrition: Wholesome, plant-rich eating patterns
- Physical activity: Purposeful, daily movement tailored to your ability
- Sleep: Practical habits to improve sleep quality and energy
- Stress management: Mindfulness techniques to build emotional resilience
- Social connection: Building strong support networks to keep you grounded
- Minimizing risky substances: Guidance to reduce unhealthy substances
Conditions we treat and support
Our Lifestyle Medicine team partners with adults managing a wide range of chronic health conditions, including:
- Cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease
- Metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes, prediabetes and obesity
- Gastrointestinal issues such as Fatty Liver Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions like arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease
- Cancer risk reduction and survivorship support
- Mental health and brain health, including depression, anxiety and cognitive decline
- Women’s health concerns
- Sleep disorders, such as insomnia and sleep apnea
Ready to take the first step?
- Email us directly at lifestylemedicine@osumc.edu to enroll in an upcoming 6-month small group cohort or schedule an individual appointment.
- Ask your provider to send a referral to Ohio State Lifestyle Medicine and our team will reach out directly.