Preventive Medicine and Problem-Solving in Populations

Addressing broad public health problems and adverse behavioral patterns in populations requires a systematic and strategic problem-solving process. Core steps for problem-solving in populations include defining the problem, measuring the magnitude of the problem, understanding the key determinants of the problem, devising a set of prioritized programs, interventions, or policies to target the problem, and evaluating the effectiveness of the chosen approach. Applying the principles of preventive medicine to inform behavior change programs and interventions can be especially valuable for the design and implementation of Lifestyle Medicine Centers, as the census of patients can be approached both as individuals and as a unique population.