Lifestyle Medicine and Economics: A Proposal for Research Priorities Informed by a Case Series of Disease Reversal

Kara A. Livingston, Kelly J. Freeman, Susan M. Friedman, Ron W. Stout, Liana S. Lianov, David Drozek, Jamie Shallow, Dexter Shurney, Padmaja M. Patel, Thomas M. Campbell, Kaitlyn R. Pauly, Kathryn J. Pollard and Micaela C. Karlsen
Additional contact information
Kara A. Livingston: American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Chesterfield, MO 63006, USA
Kelly J. Freeman: Department of Member Engagement & Administration, American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Chesterfield, MO 63006, USA
Susan M. Friedman: School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14620, USA
Ron W. Stout: Ardmore Institute of Health, Ardmore, OK 73401, USA
Liana S. Lianov: American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Chesterfield, MO 63006, USA
David Drozek: American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Chesterfield, MO 63006, USA
Jamie Shallow: Bright Health Group, Minneapolis, MN 55437, USA
Dexter Shurney: American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Chesterfield, MO 63006, USA
Padmaja M. Patel: American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Chesterfield, MO 63006, USA
Thomas M. Campbell: Medical Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
Kaitlyn R. Pauly: Department of Member Engagement & Administration, American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Chesterfield, MO 63006, USA
Kathryn J. Pollard: Department of Research, American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Chesterfield, MO 63006, USA
Micaela C. Karlsen: Department of Research, American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Chesterfield, MO 63006, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-13

Abstract: Chronic disease places an enormous economic burden on both individuals and the healthcare system, and existing fee-for-service models of healthcare prioritize symptom management, medications, and procedures over treating the root causes of disease through changing health behaviors. Value-based care is gaining traction, and there is a need for value-based care models that achieve the quadruple aim of (1) improved population health, (2) enhanced patient experience, (3) reduced healthcare costs, and (4) improved work life and decreased burnout of healthcare providers. Lifestyle medicine (LM) has the potential to achieve these four aims, including promoting health and wellness and reducing healthcare costs; however, the economic outcomes of LM approaches need to be better quantified in research. This paper demonstrates proof of concept by detailing four cases that utilized an intensive, therapeutic lifestyle intervention change (ITLC) to dramatically reverse disease and reduce healthcare costs. In addition, priorities for lifestyle medicine economic research related to the components of quadruple aim are proposed, including conducting rigorously designed research studies to adequately measure the effects of ITLC interventions, modeling the potential economic cost savings enabled by health improvements following lifestyle interventions as compared to usual disease progression and management, and examining the effects of lifestyle medicine implementation upon different payment models.

Keywords: lifestyle medicine; diabetes remission; chronic disease; healthcare costs; cost savings (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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