Women's Health Competencies in Lifestyle Medicine

Presentation Summary: This expert panel introduces the ABLM/IBLM Women’s Health Lifestyle Medicine Core Competencies, presenting a comprehensive, evidence-based framework for delivering lifestyle medicine–centered care to women across the lifespan. Attendees will gain insight into how these newly established competencies are shaping curriculum development and informing a forthcoming certification in Women’s Health Lifestyle Medicine.

Panelists will explore the application of lifestyle medicine from the reproductive years through menopause and healthy aging. Key topics include optimizing fertility and pregnancy outcomes, supporting postpartum recovery and lactation, and addressing the physiologic and hormonal transitions that influence long-term health. The session will also highlight the role of lifestyle factors in cardiometabolic health, body composition, sleep, stress resilience, and emotional well-being, with practical strategies tailored to each life stage.

In addition, the panel will examine the critical influence of psychosocial and environmental factors, including chronic stress, social connectedness, and exposure to harmful substances, emphasizing their cumulative impact on women’s physical and mental health.

Grounded in the six pillars of lifestyle medicine, this session underscores a holistic, patient-centered approach that integrates cultural competence, trauma-informed care, and the responsible use of digital health tools. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to support behavior change, improve clinical outcomes, and empower women to achieve sustained health and resilience across diverse settings.