4th Conference on Plant-based Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine

Food is Medicine for Healthy Longevity Food Is Medicine for Healthy Longevity explores how targeted nutrition and eating patterns can transform the trajectory of aging. This day-long conference brings together clinical experts and community leaders to examine the importance of "Food is Medicine" for healthy aging, including its utility in sustaining physical function by addressing sarcopenia and frailty; preserving cognitive vitality through neuro-protective dietary patterns; and navigating the modern metabolic landscape with specialized nutrition protocols for GLP-1 users to prevent muscle loss and ensure long-term weight maintenance. By bridging the gap between cutting-edge dietary science and practical, community-based food policy, the conference will provide healthcare professionals and community advocates with actionable strategies to enhance both lifespan and health span. Target Audience: The intended audience is individuals able to influence awareness, understanding, and implementation of food-focused lifestyle medicine initiatives in Brooklyn and beyond. More specifically, this includes clinicians (MDs, RNs, NPs, PAs, RDs), public health professionals, resident physicians in training, medical and public health students, and community leaders who are involved with, or have an interest in, food is medicine approaches to healthy aging. Members of the public are also welcome to attend. Objectives: At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to: • Evaluate the evidence supporting Food as Medicine and lifestyle medicine interventions for promoting healthy aging, preventing, and managing chronic diseases. • Apply evidence-based nutrition strategies to the prevention and management of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cognitive decline, mobility limitations, and other age-related conditions. • Integrate interdisciplinary approaches including nutrition, medicine, rehabilitation, culinary medicine, and community resources, to develop patient-centered care plans that improve health outcomes. • Incorporate emerging evidence on precision nutrition, GLP-1 therapies, and current dietary guidelines into individualized clinical decision-making. • Implement equitable, team-based strategies that improve access to Food as Medicine interventions and support healthy aging across diverse populations. Overall Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to integrate evidence-based Food as Medicine and lifestyle medicine strategies into collaborative, patient-centered care to promote healthy aging and improve chronic disease prevention and management. Accreditation Downstate Health Sciences University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Downstate Health Sciences University designates this live activity for a maximum of 5.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits (TM). Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Nursing: Downstate Health Sciences University is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the Northeast Multistate Division, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. This activity is approved for 5.50 CE credits. Dietitians: This activity is approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration for 5.50 CPEUs. Physician Assistants: AAPA accepts category 1 credit from AOACCME, Prescribed credit from AAFP, and AMA category 1 credit for the PRA for organizations accredited by the ACCME. Social Workers: Downstate Health Sciences University is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-469. This conference is organized by the SUNY Downstate Committee for Plant-based Health and Nutrition, a multidisciplinary body with representation from the College of Medicine, School of Public Health, College of Nursing, College of Health-Related Professions, STAR Program, Brooklyn Health Disparities Center, University Hospital of Brooklyn, and community partner Plant Powered Metro New York. The Committee promotes awareness of the health benefits of plant-based nutrition, provides a forum for multidisciplinary interaction, and discusses ways to integrate plant-based health into resident training, medical student education, and the overall culture at SUNY Downstate. This is the fourth in a series of conferences focused on whole food, plant-predominant nutrition and lifestyle medicine approaches to health and well-being. View full agenda.