Lifestyle medicine supports shift toward preventive healthcare

Lifestyle medicine can play a greater role in China's efforts to build a more prevention-oriented healthcare system, as the country advances the Healthy China initiative while coping with population aging and a rising burden of chronic diseases, a senior expert said.

The approach, rooted in evidence-based research, addresses the daily habits that shape short- and long-term health and quality of life, from diet and exercise to sleep, stress management, social connection and avoiding addictive substances.

James M. Rippe, editor-in-chief of Lifestyle Medicine, told China Daily in an exclusive interview that prevention could become a stronger pillar of modern healthcare, as daily habits often have a deeper and longer-lasting impact on health outcomes than treatment after disease has already developed.

"The things people do in their daily lives can make a bigger difference to their health than almost anything medicine can do after disease has developed," he said, citing World Health Organization data showing that noncommunicable diseases account for 74 percent of deaths worldwide each year.

The growing burden of chronic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes, is prompting countries to rethink healthcare models that have long relied heavily on diagnosis, treatment and hospital-based services, Rippe said.

A stronger emphasis on prevention would help reduce disease risks, ease pressure on hospitals and make health spending more efficient, he added.

For China, the expert siad, lifestyle medicine is closely aligned with the Healthy China initiative, which places prevention at the center of public health improvement and supports the shift from treating illness to protecting health.

As China's population ages, healthier daily habits could help the older people not only live longer, but also maintain better health, quality of life and productivity, he said.

Rippe said improving nutrition, increasing physical activity and reducing tobacco and alcohol use could be priorities as China strengthens chronic disease prevention and health management.

A plant-forward diet emphasizing fruits, vegetables and whole grains is supported by growing medical evidence and is also consistent with many elements of traditional Chinese dietary patterns, he said.

Physical activity is another priority, Rippe said, as modern lifestyles have become increasingly sedentary. He noted that only about 22 percent of urban Chinese residents get enough exercise.

He also stressed the need to reduce tobacco and alcohol use, saying alcohol has become a wider global health concern and that the WHO has emphasized there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.

Rippe said lifestyle medicine is not merely a matter of personal discipline. Governments, schools, communities and healthcare providers all have a role in creating environments that make healthier choices easier, he added.

Digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, wearable devices and health platforms, could help extend the reach of lifestyle medicine by supporting health monitoring and long-term behavior management, Rippe said.

Such AI-related tools need professional guidance, he added. Wearable devices and digital health platforms can collect health data, but doctors remain essential in interpreting the results and guiding patients toward practical lifestyle changes.

"AI is a great force extender," Rippe said. "But it will not solve all the problems. Doctors are still needed to interpret the data and help patients turn information into meaningful action."

He also called for lifestyle medicine to be more deeply integrated into medical education, so doctors can better apply prevention-oriented approaches in mainstream care.

"We know what to do," Rippe said. "The challenge is helping people, doctors and healthcare systems actually do it."