The recently announced collaboration Exercise is Medicine Solution is reportedly a way to jointly address the rapid progression of chronic diseases and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
Exercise is Medicine (EIM)—a global health initiative managed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the American Council on Exercise (ACE), and the Medical Fitness Association (MFA)—announced the collaboration recently at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. The announcement included a keynote address by 18th US Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, MD.
According to a media release from American College of Sports Medicine, the partnership and the Exercise is Medicine Solution is a way to bring together healthcare systems, clinicians, fitness professionals, and community resources to affect positive health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
“Prevention is an imperative as more American families struggle to deal with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, and strokes. Much of the illness and early death related to these chronic diseases can be prevented by increased physical activity,” says Benjamin in the release.
“The EIM Solution is an innovative approach that, through a prescription, links the medical profession with physical activity professionals and community resources,” she adds.
The EIM Solution includes physical activity counseling, as well as prescription and referral strategies, particularly those linking healthcare and community-based resources. Also as part of the EIM Solution, physicians can refer their patients to qualified exercise professionals who hold the EIM Professional Credential, per the release.
South Carolina-based Greenville Health System was also announced as the first health system in the United States to fully adopt the EIM Solution. In phase two, the EIM partners will work to expand the EIM program into other regional health systems, the release states.
[Source(s): American College of Sports Medicine, Newswise]