Surviving the Grind: Using Lifestyle Medicine to Optimize Brain Health and Reduce Burnout

About this event

There is no cost to attend, and all interested individuals are invited to participate. Continuing education credit will be available.

Attend at DMU or online

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DESCRIPTION

Chronic diseases are among the leading causes of illness, disability, and healthcare spending, yet many can be prevented or improved through healthy lifestyle behaviors. This session explores the impact of chronic disease and chronic inflammation on overall health while examining how everyday choices related to nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, and other lifestyle factors influence long-term well-being.

EDUCATIONAL NEED

Chronic diseases remain the leading causes of illness, disability, and death in the United States and are major drivers of healthcare spending. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , 6 in 10 U.S. adults have at least one chronic disease, and 4 in 10 have two or more. In addition, 90% of the nation's annual healthcare expenditures are spent caring for people with chronic and mental health conditions. These conditions are strongly influenced by modifiable lifestyle factors, including poor nutrition, physical inactivity, inadequate sleep, chronic stress, and tobacco use.

This activity addresses the need for clinicians to recognize how evidence-based lifestyle interventions can help prevent, manage, and, in some cases, improve chronic disease while supporting brain health, learning, performance, and overall well-being. Participants will gain practical knowledge and strategies to help individuals make sustainable lifestyle changes that improve health outcomes and reduce the burden of chronic disease.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Describe how chronic diseases affect health and healthcare costs.

• Explain chronic inflammation and how it affects the body.

• Apply everyday lifestyle choices to help prevent and manage chronic diseases.

• Identify simple lifestyle changes that can improve brain health, learning, performance, and overall well-being.

SPEAKER

Parshant Sagar, MD

Internal Medicine Physician, Des Moines VA Medical Center