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A lifestyle management programme (also referred to as a health promotion programme, health behaviour change programme, lifestyle improvement programme or wellness programme) is an intervention designed to promote positive lifestyle and behaviour change and is widely used in the field of health promotion.

Definition[edit]

Lifestyle management programmes are closely linked to the concept of health promotion, which is “the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health.” [1]

Based on this, a lifestyle management programme is defined as a structured, action-oriented health promotion initiative designed to help individuals improve their health, reduce health risks and promote healthy behaviours.

Lifestyle management programmes can target a range of different health concerns and areas, such as physical activity, stress, smoking, and nutrition. [2] They are used in a variety of different settings, however most commonly in workplaces and community or public health initiatives.

Implementation[edit]

Lifestyle management programmes can be delivered as a standalone initiative, however they are generally used as part of an integrated, multi-component health promotion programme, incorporating a range of interventions. A health risk assessment or appraisal is often used as a starting point to identify health risks and then target appropriate programmes based on the results.

For example, if an individual’s health risk assessment reveals stress as a high risk area of concern, a stress lifestyle management programme could be recommended to promote behaviour change and reduce the health risks.

They can be delivered through a variety of mediums, including online, face-to-face with a health coach or trainer, or telephonically.

Benefits[edit]

Reviews and academic studies exploring the effectiveness and impact of lifestyle management programmes, when used as part of a wider, multi-component health promotion programme, have found that they can:

  • Reduce health risks [3]
  • Reduce medical and healthcare costs [4]
  • Improve productivity [3][5]
  • Reduce absensenteeism [3][6][7][5]
  • Reduce the incidence and severity of chronic health conditions [2]

Providers[edit]

There are a number of different providers offering lifestyle management programmes, including vielife, Staywell, Healthways and CIGNA.

References[edit]

  1. ^ . Ottowa Charter for Health Promotion, WHO, Geneva, 1986.
  2. ^ a b Buck Consultants. Working Well: A Global Survey of Health Promotion and Workplace Wellness Strategies. 2008; Buck Consultants Limited.
  3. ^ a b c Mills P.R., Kessler R.C., Cooper J., and Sullivan S. Impact of a health promotion program on employee health risks and work productivity, Am J of Health Promot. 2007:vol 22(1): pages 45-53.
  4. ^ Naydeck BL., Pearson JA., Ozminkowski RJ., Day BT., Goetzel RZ. The impact of the highmark employee wellness programmes on 4-year healthcare costs J Occup Environ Med. 2008: vol 50:146-156.
  5. ^ a b Pelletier B., Boles M., Lynch W. Change in health risks and work productivity over time J Occup Environ Med. 2004: vol 46:746-754.
  6. ^ Cogwell R. and Kaczmarek B.A. The importance of promoting health in the workplace The Internet Journal of Academic Physician Assistants. 2004: vol 4,1.
  7. ^ Aldana SG., Merrill RM., Price K., Hardy A., Hager R. Financial impact of a comprehensive multisite workplace health promotion program Prev Med. 2005: vol 40:131-137