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Toward a roadmap for addressing today's health dilemma-The 101-statement consensus report
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Toward a roadmap for addressing today's health dilemma-The 101-statement consensus report

Katharina C Wirnitzer, Andrew Knight, Mohamad Motevalli, Derrick R Tanous, Clemens Drenowatz, Maximilian Moser, Holger Cramer, Thomas Rosemann, Karl-Heinz Wagner, Andreas Michalsen, …
Frontiers in nutrition (Lausanne), Vol.12, 1676080
2025
PMID: 41425620
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Published4.88 MBDownloadView
Published (Version of Record)CC BY V4.0 Open Access

Abstract

chronic diseases plant-based vegan behavior animal experiment prevention public health physical activity
Importance In recent decades there has been an expansion in the quantity and quality of scientific findings and guidelines on different health topics to promote individual and public health status. Reports also indicate that there has been a simultaneous increase in the financial burden of disease, including trillions spent on healthcare resources by governments worldwide (predominantly in developing countries) to address health concerns. At the same time, personal health behavior is well-known as efficient and cost-free, holding four times the potential to prevent early death compared to health care. Despite this knowledge, data show that the increasing prevalence of unhealthy lifestyles and the associated chronic diseases, especially in Western societies, still need to be controlled. This circumstance exemplifies today‘s global health dilemma, which alarms the inadequacy of ongoing efforts to address the existing health concerns worldwide. Setting, insights, and observations Three international, multidisciplinary, and inter-university events (two scientific conferences and one tertiary education symposium) were held in Austria (Innsbruck) between 2020 and 2022 to discourse, discuss, and debate these concerns. Two hundred eighty-four experts from 76 universities, organizations, and stakeholders spanning 31 nations and five continents participated in this international research and knowledge exchange to address today's global health dilemma. The latest scientific findings were discussed to develop practical strategies for improving lifestyle behavior and focus on the dual “Healthy Eating & Active Living” approach as a minimum recommendation for sustainable lifelong health and care. The expert panel debated crucial research priorities and future policies, identified gaps and untapped potential in basic health approaches that have been grossly neglected, and approved the evidence-based 101 consensus statements presented. Conclusions and relevance These endeavors aim to develop novel and effective interventions that address the needs of individuals and communities and promote optimal health status. Highlights • To address the global health dilemma of increasing non-communicable (chronic) diseases despite growing advances in health science and healthcare budgets, it is the consensus of the panel of experts that the power of Lifestyle Medicine has the potential to significantly contribute to the “Prevention First” appeal. The dual approach to sustainable and lifelong health—“Healthy Eating & Active Living”—is the minimum recommendation inclusive of every individual for better public health. • To maximize health benefits for all, the permanent linkage of “Healthy Eating” is, at best, whole food plant-predominant, preferably vegetarian/vegan, and “Active Living” is, at best, daily and outdoors/in nature. • This consensus statement aligns with the current trend towards de-medicalized and more holistic, personalized approaches to health and well-being, focusing on sustainable preventative policies.

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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Collaboration types
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Citation topics
6 Social Sciences
6.263 Agricultural Policy
6.263.1720 Dietary Sustainability
Web Of Science research areas
Nutrition & Dietetics
ESI research areas
Clinical Medicine
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