LIFESTYLE MEDICINE FOR THE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES IN THAILAND: POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
Keywords:
Lifestyle medicine, Non-communicable diseases, Health promotion, Health policy, Health systemsAbstract
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of mortality globally and in Thailand, accounting for more than 70% of all deaths. Their burden continues to rise due to population aging and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. Lifestyle medicine is an evidence-based approach that targets six core pillars: nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, social connection, and avoidance of risky substances. It has been shown to prevent, manage, and in some cases reverse chronic diseases.
This article aims to describe the concepts, principles, and mechanisms of lifestyle medicine, and to synthesize global evidence and practical experiences in Thailand. The ultimate goal is to propose policy recommendations for integrating lifestyle medicine into the Thai health system at scale.
The findings indicate that lifestyle medicine can significantly reduce disease burden, healthcare costs, and improve quality of life. However, implementation remains limited due to structural barriers, financing mechanisms, and workforce capacity.
The article proposes the development of a national policy framework to support the systematic integration of lifestyle medicine into healthcare delivery, workforce development, financing systems, and monitoring mechanisms to achieve sustainable health system transformation.
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