What is Lifestyle Health?

A large body of scientific literature supports a strong relationship between lifestyle habits and health and quality of life. Examples of lifestyle-related diseases include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and arthritis. Regular physical activity, not smoking, managing stress, and following recommended nutritional principles have a positive effect on chronic disease prevention and management.  Health care professionals are in a position to influence the health of their patients and clients through education and counseling on adopting positive lifestyle habits. 

Objectives of the Program

The program is designed for health care professionals who have direct contact with patients and clients. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

• Describe to patients, using scientific literature, the relationship between lifestyle and selected diseases.
• Evaluate each client’s current lifestyle habits.
• Determine clients’ readiness to make changes in their current habits.
• In collaboration with the client and the healthcare team, design realistic action plans to allow clients to make positive changes.
• Determine the need to refer clients to other health care professionals and/or to community resources.
  

Format

The program is designed for the working professional or full time student, and consists of two 3-credit hour courses. Courses can be taken online with options for face-to-face meetings. The first course includes an introduction to lifestyle health, assessing client readiness for change and the role of nutrition in health and managing chronic diseases.  The second course focuses on physical activity, smoking cessation, stress management and sleep habits. Students also will have opportunities to apply their knowledge through simulation. The program begins in August (fall term) with a completion date at the end of the following spring term.  

Curriculum 

Lifestyle Health I

This course introduces students to the relationship between lifestyle and health, specifically the role of lifestyle in the management of chronic diseases. Students will review key psychosocial factors that influence patients’ readiness to adopt health-promoting behaviors. They will be provided with tools for assessment of patient readiness to change.  Students will be introduced to the role of diet and nutrition in the development, treatment and prevention of chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cancer.  The focus of the course will be on providing evidence-based, practical information that can be used in practice.  

Lifestyle Health II

This course will focus on key lifestyle variables that influence health including physical activity, smoking, sleep, and stress.  Specific attention will be given to research on effective strategies for engaging patients/clients in regular physical activity, smoking cessation and cessation maintenance, identifying and addressing sleep disorders, and understanding the related but distinct consequences of acute versus chronic stress. The final part of the course will focus on applying knowledge and skills from Lifestyle Health I and II to real life situations. Students will design and implement programs to assist patients/clients with positive changes.  

Admissions Requirements

• The applicant must hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an  accredited institution
  
• To be considered for admission, the applicant must file the following official credentials with the School of Health Professions, Office of the Dean: 

o      Complete application
o      Application fee (checks or money orders need to be made payable to UNTHSC)
o      Official transcripts  of from highest degree or copy of professional license or certificate.
o      Mail all materials to:

UNTHSC - School of Health Professions
Office of the Dean
Carl E. Everett Education and Administration Building 402
3500 Camp Bowie Blvd.
Fort Worth, TX 76107

For more information, contact Cheryell Price at 817-735-2762.