Chronic diseases with a lifestyle-based aetiology currently make up a significant proportion of primary care consultations, but management often falls between the demands of public and clinical health.

A modified clinical approach, based around the concept of “lifestyle medicine”, helps fill the gap by adding behavioural, motivational and environmental skills to conventional medical practice.

When used in a multidisciplinary setting, lifestyle medicine offers potential cost and effectiveness benefits, which are beginning to be realised.