University Medical Center in Tuscaloosa is enhancing care by offering lifestyle medicine services to help patients prevent, manage and even reverse chronic disease through healthy lifestyle changes.
Led by Dr. Ansley Baccus, a family medicine physician at UMC, and Dr. Jon Baccus, an internal medicine physician at UMC, these services focus on addressing the root causes of conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obesity and heart disease.
Ansley Baccus said the approach offers more comprehensive care by helping patients build sustainable healthy habits.
“The goal is to focus on what’s causing disease and give patients the tools and support they need to make lasting lifestyle changes,” she said. “These changes can significantly improve health and, in some cases, reduce the need for medications.”
UMC's lifestyle medicine services focus on six key areas of healthy living: nutrition, physical activity and sleep, along with stress management, social connection and avoidance of harmful substances. Appointments include hour-long visits with lifestyle assessments, nutrition counseling and individualized wellness plans that key in on healthy eating, exercise routines, and strategies to improve sleep and manage stress.
The effort also aims to improve access to care by addressing barriers such as transportation and access to healthy food in partnership with community resources.
The services are referral-based, meaning patients are typically referred by their primary care provider.
“It’s meant to support patients in making meaningful, long-term changes while continuing their regular care,” Jon Baccus said.