Governance and Update Process for Lifestyle Medicine Core Competencies and Definitions (AJLM Volume 20, Issue 7)

A governance structure and update process led by the International Board of Lifestyle Medicine (IBLM) for maintaining the lifestyle medicine (LM) core competencies, the core LM definition, and core LM pillar definitions is being formalized. Although these were previously developed and recognized by established and credible lifestyle medicine organizations, this formal process will create ongoing and well-represented oversight of the validation and update process. The objectives of this formalization were to develop such a process to (1) document the immediate refinements made to the core LM definition and core LM pillar definitions in 2025-2026, and (2) describe the governance structure established by the IBLM Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) for maintaining and updating LM competencies and definitions. This work will strengthen the credibility, scalability, sustainability, standardization, and global adoption of LM competencies and definitions while ensuring responsiveness to evolving scientific evidence and population health needs.

This activity expires September 29, 2027, at 11:59 PM PST.    

Learning Outcomes

After completing this activity, learners will be able to: 

  1. Describe the governance structure established by the International Board of Lifestyle Medicine (IBLM) and its Scientific Advisory Committee for the ongoing oversight, validation, and updating of Lifestyle Medicine (LM) core competencies and definitions. [journals.sagepub.com] 
  2. Explain the key refinements made to the Lifestyle Medicine core definition and pillar definitions during the 2025-2026 update process, including the rationale for enhancing clarity, consistency, and global applicability. [journals.sagepub.com] 
  3. Evaluate how a formalized governance and update process can strengthen the credibility, standardization, scalability, sustainability, and worldwide adoption of Lifestyle Medicine competencies while maintaining responsiveness to emerging scientific evidence and population health needs. 

Activity Format

This activity consists of ​1​ AJLM article and ​1​ hour of content.  

Target Audience

This activity is applicable for interprofessional healthcare team including physicians, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, physician associates, registered dietitians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, other health professionals working with chronic disease prevention or treatment, certified health coaches, and clinicians in training.  

Learning Objectives

After studying the article, learners will be able to:

  1. Describe the rationale for establishing a formal governance process for Lifestyle Medicine core competencies and definitions.  
  2. Identify the key stakeholder groups involved in the IBLM governance framework and their respective responsibilities.  
  3. Explain the role of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) in competency and definition revisions.  
  4. Apply principles of global stakeholder engagement and consensus-building to competency development in healthcare professions.  
  5. State and define the six core pillars of Lifestyle Medicine (LM).
  6. Outline the timeline and major milestones associated with the revision of the Lifestyle Medicine competencies, core definition, and core pillar definitions. 

Activity summary

Available credit: 
  • 1.00 ABLM MOC

    The American Board of Lifestyle Medicine has approved 1.00 maintenance of certification credits (MOC) for this learning activity.

  • 1.00 ABS Accredited CME

    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

  • 1.00 ACPE Pharmacy

    The American College of Lifestyle Medicine designates this knowledge-based Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 contact hour(s) for pharmacists. ACPE credit will be reported to CPE Monitor®. Participants must provide their NABP e-Profile ID and date of birth (MM/DD) to receive credit.

  • 1.00 ACPE Technician

    The American College of Lifestyle Medicine designates this knowledge-based Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 contact hour(s) for pharmacy technicians. ACPE credit will be reported to CPE Monitor®. Participants must provide their NABP e-Profile ID and date of birth (MM/DD) to receive credit.

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

    The American College of Lifestyle Medicine designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 1.00 ANCC

    The American College of Lifestyle Medicine designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 nursing contact hour(s).

  • 1.00 APA

    The American College of Lifestyle Medicine designates this Enduring material for 1.00 CE credits in psychology. Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship in the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.

  • 1.00 ASWB

    As a Jointly Accredited Organization, The American College of Lifestyle Medicine is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved continuing education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 1.00 general continuing education credits.

  • 1.00 Attendance

    Successful completion of this course activity, including active participation in the evaluation component, entitles the learner to receive a participation certificate from ACLM. Please note that this certificate is offered solely in recognition of engagement, and no academic or professional credit is awarded.

  • 1.00 CPEU

    This Enduring material has been approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Completion of this activity awards 1.00 CPEUs.

  • 1.00 Occupational Therapy CE

    Rush University Medical Center is an approved provider for physical therapy (216.000378), occupational therapy (224.000220), respiratory care (195.000038), and speech and language pathology and audiology (202.000226) by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for 1.00 continuing education credits.

  • 1.00 Participation (AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for non-physicians)

    The American College of Lifestyle Medicine designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 1.00 Physical Therapy CE

    Rush University Medical Center is an approved provider for physical therapy (216.000378), occupational therapy (224.000220), respiratory care (195.000038), and speech and language pathology and audiology (202.000226) by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for 1.00 continuing education credits.

Activity opens: 
09/28/2026
Activity expires: 
09/29/2027
Cost:
$40.00
  • Brenda Rea, MD, DrPH, PT, RD, DipABLM, FACLM, Lifestyle Medicine Intensivist 
  • Jonathan Bonnet, MD, MPH, DipABLM, FACLM 
  • Micaela Karlsen, PhD, MPSH 

Accreditation Statement, Disclosure Information and Credit Designation Statements

Accreditation Statement: In support of improving patient care, the American College of Lifestyle Medicine is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. 

 

 

 

 

Disclosure Information:

In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, all individuals in control of content for this activity have disclosed all financial relationships with ineligible companies within the prior 24 months. Any relevant financial relationships have been identified, reviewed, and mitigated prior to the start of the activity. 

Individuals in control of content have disclosed the following:  

  • Rohit Moghe, PharmD, MSPH, CDCES: Member, Speaker's Bureau - Novo Nordisk 

All remaining planners, faculty, reviewers, moderators, and others in control of content have disclosed no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies. 

The content of this activity has been designed to present evidence-based information that is fair, balanced, and free from commercial bias. 

Available Credit

  • 1.00 ABLM MOC

    The American Board of Lifestyle Medicine has approved 1.00 maintenance of certification credits (MOC) for this learning activity.

  • 1.00 ABS Accredited CME

    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

  • 1.00 ACPE Pharmacy

    The American College of Lifestyle Medicine designates this knowledge-based Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 contact hour(s) for pharmacists. ACPE credit will be reported to CPE Monitor®. Participants must provide their NABP e-Profile ID and date of birth (MM/DD) to receive credit.

  • 1.00 ACPE Technician

    The American College of Lifestyle Medicine designates this knowledge-based Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 contact hour(s) for pharmacy technicians. ACPE credit will be reported to CPE Monitor®. Participants must provide their NABP e-Profile ID and date of birth (MM/DD) to receive credit.

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

    The American College of Lifestyle Medicine designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 1.00 ANCC

    The American College of Lifestyle Medicine designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 nursing contact hour(s).

  • 1.00 APA

    The American College of Lifestyle Medicine designates this Enduring material for 1.00 CE credits in psychology. Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship in the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.

  • 1.00 ASWB

    As a Jointly Accredited Organization, The American College of Lifestyle Medicine is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved continuing education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 1.00 general continuing education credits.

  • 1.00 Attendance

    Successful completion of this course activity, including active participation in the evaluation component, entitles the learner to receive a participation certificate from ACLM. Please note that this certificate is offered solely in recognition of engagement, and no academic or professional credit is awarded.

  • 1.00 CPEU

    This Enduring material has been approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Completion of this activity awards 1.00 CPEUs.

  • 1.00 Occupational Therapy CE

    Rush University Medical Center is an approved provider for physical therapy (216.000378), occupational therapy (224.000220), respiratory care (195.000038), and speech and language pathology and audiology (202.000226) by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for 1.00 continuing education credits.

  • 1.00 Participation (AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for non-physicians)

    The American College of Lifestyle Medicine designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 1.00 Physical Therapy CE

    Rush University Medical Center is an approved provider for physical therapy (216.000378), occupational therapy (224.000220), respiratory care (195.000038), and speech and language pathology and audiology (202.000226) by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for 1.00 continuing education credits.

Price

Cost:
$40.00
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Non-memberACLM Members

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Access to online material is granted through the term of approval, which ends September 29, 2027. 
 

Participant User Agreement (Terms of Use and Copyright) 

Before registering for a Continuing Education/Continuing Medical Education Course (“Training”) for the first time, carefully review the following conditions of usage at https://lifestylemedicine.org/terms-of-use-and-copyright/

Registering for an American College of Lifestyle Medicine Course indicates your acceptance of the Participant User Agreement and its terms and conditions. 

Required Hardware/software

This course can be viewed on desktop or tablet using a modern browser and most mobile devices.