South African Lifestyle Medicine Association

South African Lifestyle Medicine Association The South African Lifestyle Medicine Association is in the process of being set up as an independent

Join us for an inspiring webinar with Professor Ashraf Hassen Coovadia, one of the most esteemed authorities in paediatr...
20/04/2026

Join us for an inspiring webinar with Professor Ashraf Hassen Coovadia, one of the most esteemed authorities in paediatric medicine in Southern Africa. Prof Coovadia obtained his Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Zambia in 1990 and his Fellowship of the College of Paediatrics through the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa in 1998. He also holds a Diploma in Child Health, a Diploma in HIV Management, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences Education from Wits University. In 2025, he was grandfathered in as a Paediatric Emergency Medicine subspecialist (PEM) by the HPCSA.

Prof Coovadia has been the Head of Department of Paediatrics at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital since January 2014, and Academic Head of Department of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at Wits University since October 2016.

His current areas of interest are medical education, paediatric emergency medicine training, advocacy on the South African public healthcare system, AI use in medical education, and climate change.

In this session, you’ll:

• Define climate change and explain the greenhouse effect in simple clinical terms.
• Describe the major current and projected effects of climate change globally and in health systems.
• Explain why children are especially vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change.
• Identify key direct and indirect effects of climate change on child health, including heat, preterm birth, asthma/allergy, nutrition, and infectious diseases.
• Discuss practical actions for clinicians and health systems to mitigate and adapt to climate-related child health risks in South Africa.

Don’t miss this opportunity to understand how climate change can impact paediatric health!

Sign up here (link in bio):
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/oNJVcpPnT5SkEEgnC_jx6Q #/registration

Catch the next inspiring episode of SALMA Spotlight right here: https://lnkd.in/dD84X7dQOn this episode, we have a conve...
20/04/2026

Catch the next inspiring episode of SALMA Spotlight right here: https://lnkd.in/dD84X7dQ

On this episode, we have a conversation with Leonie Augustine - a registered pharmacist, wellness coach, certified meditation teacher, and co-founder of TLC Lifestyle Medicine and Wellness. With nearly four decades of healthcare experience, Leonie blends her pharmacy background with holistic wellness practices, mindfulness, and lifestyle medicine to empower individuals toward optimal health, resilience, and personal growth. As the founder of Life Unlimited Coaching®, she is passionate about helping others live healthier and more meaningful lives

Enjoy!

Most chronic diseases are driven by how we live.A 2017 review found that around 80% of chronic conditions could be preve...
16/04/2026

Most chronic diseases are driven by how we live.

A 2017 review found that around 80% of chronic conditions could be prevented through lifestyle medicine recommendations.

The goal isn't only to treat disease, it's to prevent it!

Lifestyle medicine helps keep people healthy by getting ahead of chronic disease before it starts.



References:
Bodai BI, Nakata TE, Wong WT, et al. Lifestyle Medicine: A Brief Review of Its Dramatic Impact on Health and Survival. Perm J. 2018;22:17-025. doi:10.7812/TPP/17-025

Sadiq IZ. Lifestyle medicine as a modality for prevention and management of chronic diseases. J Taibah Univ Med Sci. 2023;18(5):1115-1117. Published 2023 Apr 15. doi:10.1016/j.jtumed.2023.04.001

This delicious Sweet Potato Soup is warm and comforting, and made with sweet potatoes, ginger and cumin.Head over to our...
13/04/2026

This delicious Sweet Potato Soup is warm and comforting, and made with sweet potatoes, ginger and cumin.

Head over to our website for the full recipe.🧑‍🍳

https://salifestylemedicine.org/blog/

This World Health Day, we remember that access to health care is not equal for everyone. Health equity is not only about...
07/04/2026

This World Health Day, we remember that access to health care is not equal for everyone.

Health equity is not only about hospitals. It also means access to nutritious food, to safe spaces to move and sleep, and to supportive communities.

Focusing on the social determinants of health, lifestyle medicine can be a part of the change that brings health equity into action.

References:

Gordon T, Booysen F, Mbonigaba J. Socio-economic inequalities in the multiple dimensions of access to healthcare: the case of South Africa. BMC Public Health. 2020;20(1):289. Published 2020 Mar 4. doi:10.1186/s12889-020-8368-7

Today, on Social Prescribing Day, we celebrate a powerful, person-centred approach to health and wellbeing.As defined by...
26/03/2026

Today, on Social Prescribing Day, we celebrate a powerful, person-centred approach to health and wellbeing.

As defined by the Global Social Prescribing Alliance, social prescribing connects individuals to non-clinical community activities and services, such as arts, nature, volunteering, and peer support, to improve health and wellbeing. It recognises that many of the drivers of health lie beyond the consulting room, addressing the wider determinants of health.

At the South African Lifestyle Medicine Association, we see social prescribing as a natural extension of Lifestyle Medicine, supporting whole-person care and strengthening the bridge between healthcare and community.

Social prescribing can include:

Green – Nature-based activities for mental & physical wellbeing
(e.g., community gardening, nature walks, forest bathing)

Blue – Water-based activities for health benefits
(e.g., wild swimming, coastal walks, river mindfulness)

Arts & Culture – Creative engagement to support emotional health
(e.g., art classes, music therapy, theatre, museum visits)

Physical Activity – Tailored movement and exercise
(e.g., walking groups, yoga, swimming, dance)

Social & Community – Reducing isolation through connection
(e.g., friendship clubs, volunteering, peer support)

Mental Health & Wellbeing – Non-clinical mental health support
(e.g., mindfulness, meditation, resilience workshops)

Work & Skills – Building confidence, skills, and purpose
(e.g., job clubs, mentoring, skills workshops)

Practical Support – Assistance with daily challenges affecting health
(e.g., housing, debt advice, food banks)

By integrating these supports into care, we not only improve individual outcomes but also help build healthier, more connected communities.

For further resources visit: https://whis.world/gspa

We’d love to hear from you:
What are your favourite community groups or initiatives in South Africa that you refer patients to? Please share in the comments and help grow our collective resource.

The SALMA Accreditation Course Lifestyle-related chronic diseases are on the rise, yet many healthcare professionals rec...
25/03/2026

The SALMA Accreditation Course

Lifestyle-related chronic diseases are on the rise, yet many healthcare professionals receive little to no training on addressing their root causes.

Certification in Lifestyle Medicine bridges this gap, equipping you with practical, evidence-based skills to tackle today’s lifestyle-related disease epidemic.

The SALMA Certification is:

• 100% online & accessible
• Evidence-based
• Tailored specifically for Southern Africa
• Fully flexible — start when it suits you
• Includes a virtual pass to the BSLM Conference

Lifestyle medicine can change the lives of your patients.
Start changing lives today.

Enrol now: https://salifestylemedicine.org/certification/
Click the link in our bio, or head over to our website for more info.

World Sleep Day: The Hidden Epidemic of Teen Sleep DeprivationSleep is one of the pillars of Lifestyle Medicine - yet it...
13/03/2026

World Sleep Day: The Hidden Epidemic of Teen Sleep Deprivation

Sleep is one of the pillars of Lifestyle Medicine - yet it is often overlooked in adolescents.

During puberty, the circadian rhythm naturally shifts later. Teenagers become biologically wired to fall asleep later and wake later. When early school schedules, academic pressure, social media and screens collide with this biological shift, chronic sleep deprivation becomes almost inevitable.

The consequences extend far beyond fatigue.

Insufficient sleep in adolescents is associated with:

• poorer academic performance

• mood disorders and anxiety

• impaired judgement and risk-taking behaviour

• disrupted emotional regulation

Most teenagers require 8–10 hours of sleep per night, yet many achieve far less.

How Families Can Help
Small changes make a difference. Encourage:

🌙 consistent sleep schedule

📵 screens off 1 hour before bed

🛏 tech-free bedrooms

🌞 morning sunlight exposure

Let’s prioritise sleep for our teenagers and support their mental health, learning capacity and resilience.

Sleep is not wasted time. It’s essential for brain development.

There’s something quite luxurious about its simplicity, just a few whole-food ingredients transformed into an indulgent ...
12/03/2026

There’s something quite luxurious about its simplicity, just a few whole-food ingredients transformed into an indulgent Chocolate Avocado Mousse for you to enjoy.

Head over to our website for the full recipe.🧑‍🍳

https://salifestylemedicine.org/blog/

Obesity is driven by a complex interaction between environment, genetics, and behaviour, and socioeconomic factors also ...
04/03/2026

Obesity is driven by a complex interaction between environment, genetics, and behaviour, and socioeconomic factors also play a significant role in driving the epidemic.

The association between obesity and non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and digestive disorders means that effectively treating obesity could change the face of healthcare.

Lifestyle medicine is the very heart of obesity care. The pillars highlight major behaviour-change areas that can not only treat obesity, but also help sustain results.

Healthcare practitioners must remember that lifestyle change is the foundation of obesity management and should form part of obesity care for all people with obesity, even patients who are using anti-obesity medication.

References:
Govender I, Sunnasy A. The growing problem of obesity in South Africa. S Afr Fam Pract (2004). 2025;67(1):e1-e2. Published 2025 Jan 1. doi:10.4102/safp.v67i1.6001

World Health Organization. Fact sheet: Obesity and overweight [homepage on the Internet]. Updated: 8 December 2025. [cited 2026 March]. Available from: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/

People undergoing cancer treatment often experience disrupted sleep and changes to their sleep–wake cycle.These disturba...
28/02/2026

People undergoing cancer treatment often experience disrupted sleep and changes to their sleep–wake cycle.

These disturbances are linked to poorer outcomes, including faster disease progression and reduced survival. Poor sleep may also serve as an indicator of worsening disease.

However, supporting oncology patients to improve sleep may not only enhance treatment outcomes but also improve quality of life during an incredibly challenging time.

References:

Strøm L, Danielsen JT, Amidi A, Cardenas Egusquiza AL, Wu LM, Zachariae R. Sleep During Oncological Treatment - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Associations With Treatment Response, Time to Progression and Survival. Front Neurosci. 2022;16:817837. Published 2022 Apr 19. doi:10.3389/fnins.2022.817837

Li N, Xue D, Zhao X, et al. Sleep disturbance as a poor prognostic predictor in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: A prospective study. J Psychosom Res. 2024;186:111892. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111892

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