On July 8, 2024, at 1:00 PM, at the Theater Room, Faculty of Public Health Building, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, the Thai Lifestyle Medicine and Wellbeing Association (TLWA) held an academic cooperation agreement signing ceremony to promote the dissemination of knowledge and the use of lifestyle medicine in daily life and professional practice. This event involved 21 relevant organizations with the aim to foster academic collaboration in research, studies, and knowledge dissemination regarding lifestyle medicine, benefiting both Thai and international communities. The goal is to enhance skills and knowledge in lifestyle medicine among organization members, enabling them to apply this knowledge in daily life and patient care, and to promote awareness among public and private sector personnel and the general public, both domestically and internationally.
The TLWA was established to promote academic and professional practices in lifestyle medicine, based on scientific principles, and to support continuous education in lifestyle medicine through collaboration with other institutions both domestically and internationally. The association aims to encourage learning and experience sharing in lifestyle medicine among members and similar associations in various fields, and to promote disease prevention using lifestyle medicine approach to the general public.
The association has formed a network with international institutions such as the Lifestyle Medicine Global Alliance and the International Board of Lifestyle Medicine, which have networks in 30 countries with lifestyle medicine organizations. This network aims to enhance international cooperation in knowledge dissemination and research in lifestyle medicine.
Lifestyle medicine focuses on addressing health issues stemming from unhealthy lifestyles by emphasizing six key pillars: a whole food plant-based diet, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, stress management, avoidance of harmful substances, positive psychology and social connectedness. These foundational approaches are essential for treating non-communicable diseases and can help reverse the course of such diseases.
To achieve these objectives, the association believes that cooperation among organizations involved in various aspects of lifestyle medicine and wellbeing will effectively and sustainably promote the use of lifestyle medicine by medical professionals and the public. Therefore, the association has engaged organizations with similar objectives to promote understanding and knowledge among healthcare professionals and the general public about healthy lifestyles. This collaboration aims to lead to effective and sustainable outcomes through the joint academic agreements with each organization.
Following the signing ceremony, there was a special lecture and academic seminar on “Lifestyle Medicine and PM2.5 Dust Problems.” The special lecture was delivered by Prof.Surakiart Sathirathai, S.J.D., Chairperson of the Chulalongkorn University Council and advisor to the association. The academic seminar featured Assoc. Prof. Chanchai Sittipunt, M.D., Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University; Assoc.Prof. Dr. Sarawut Thepanondh, Dean of the Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University; Asst. Prof. Vithawat Surawattanasakul, M.D., from the Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Environmental and Occupational Medicine Excellence Center, Chiang Mai University; and Capt.(Ret.) Yongyuth Mayalarp, M.D, President of the TLWA.
Assoc. Prof. Chanchai Sittipunt, M.D. highlighted that PM2.5 dust can cause both short-term and long-term health issues globally. In the short term, exposure to high levels of PM2.5 can lead to acute respiratory and cardiovascular problems. Long-term exposure increases the risk of lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cardiovascular diseases. According to WHO estimates, over 6 million people worldwide die annually from health issues related to PM2.5. Vulnerable populations, including those with chronic diseases and children, are particularly affected. Therefore, raising awareness and finding ways to reduce the impact of PM2.5 is crucial for public health, as everyone has the fundamental right to breathe unpolluted air.
Assoc.Prof. Dr. Sarawut Thepanondh emphasized that people spend up to 90% of their time indoors, where air pollution levels can be higher due to cooking, cleaning, and using household products. He recommended using air purifiers, especially in bedrooms and living rooms, ensuring good ventilation, and avoiding pollution-emitting equipment. Using HEPA filters that can filter particles as small as 0.03 micron can help tackle the PM2.5 dust. He also suggested consuming foods rich in antioxidants and staying hydrated to support lung function.
Asst. Prof. Vithawat Surawattanasakul, M.D. provided guidelines for public behavior during high PM2.5 periods, such as keeping windows closed, identifying and controlling dust entry points, avoiding indoor smoke emission, e.g. smoking, monitoring air quality, using high-efficiency masks like N95, staying in “dust-free rooms” as much as possible, and reopening ventilation when outdoor air quality improves.
Capt.(Ret.) Yongyuth Mayalarp, M.D stressed the importance of environmental health literacy in tackling annual PM2.5 problems. He advocated for serious adherence to the six pillars of lifestyle medicine for good health before the PM2.5 season, which prepares people to handle various risk factors. Social connectedness and support can help communities withstand the impacts of PM2.5, particularly for underprivileged members, young children, elderly people, bed-bound patients who stay at home, patients with chronic lung diseases or severe allergic conditions and those with low immunity. Comprehensive policies and plans that consider the safety and quality of life for outdoor workers during high PM2.5 periods should be key indicators of organizational management of governmental agencies and private corporates around the country.
List of organizations participating in the academic cooperation agreement signing ceremony on the dissemination of knowledge and promotion of the use of lifestyle medicine in daily life and professional practice between the Thai Lifestyle Medicine and Wellbeing Association (TLWA) and
Thailand Nursing and Midwifery Council
Physical Therapy Council
National Food Institute
Srinakharinwirot University
Dhurakij Pundit University
Krirk University
Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University
College of Sports Science and Technology, Mahidol University
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University
Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University
Chulalongkorn Health Service Center
Thai Integrative Medical Association
Nutrition Association of Thailand, under the Royal Patronage
Thai Dietetic Association
The Sports Medicine Association of Thailand
The Nurses’ Association of Thailand, under the Royal Patronage
Thai Medical and Wellness Tourism Association
The Psychiatric Association of Thailand
Phyathai Hospital Group and Paolo Hospital Group
Health Education Academics Thailand (HEAT)
ArokaGO: Medical and Wellness Tourism Platform
