Conservation and Healthcare Groups Unite to Prescribe Nature

The resolution, passed at the association’s 116th Annual Meeting, identifies nature as a foundational element for the six pillars of lifestyle medicine, including nutrition, stress management, and physical activity. By integrating outdoor engagement—such as hiking, wildlife viewing, and habitat stewardship—into patient care, proponents aim to address chronic disease at its root rather than managing symptoms alone. Data from the American Nature & Health Survey underscores the potential impact: while 83% of respondents would increase their time outdoors if advised by a physician, only 20% currently receive such a recommendation.

Scaling Nature-Based Interventions

To bridge this divide, the American College of Lifestyle Medicine plans to launch a specialized continuing education course in 2027. Developed alongside the Nature and Health Alliance and supported by the REI Cooperative Action Fund, the curriculum will train clinicians to incorporate evidence-based, nature-focused interventions into their practices. This initiative aligns with the One Health Committee’s broader mission to treat the health of humans, wildlife, and the environment as a single, interconnected system. Industry leaders, including those from the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, view this collaboration as a vital step in leveraging the $1.3 trillion outdoor economy to bolster national public health outcomes.