Improving Health Outcomes for Oklahomans: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of a Lifestyle Medicine Intervention Program

Oklahoma has a high rate of chronic disease in comparison to other states in the U.S., currently ranking among the top five worst states for heart disease, chronic lower respiratory disease, cancer, diabetes, and maternal mortality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the lifestyle medicine (LM) program at a local hospital system in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a health system that serves a patient population with notable health disparities. This mixed-methods evaluation assessed patient data from a representative sample of 63 patients across six distinct cohorts. Quantitative data included pre/post biometric data and pre/post-self-efficacy assessment. SPSS (V29) was used to analyze all quantitative data via descriptive statistics and paired t-tests. Qualitative data were gathered via interviews and focus groups; all interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. MAXQDA was used to analyze qualitative data. Results reveal significant weight loss and significant increases in knowledge, self-efficacy, and health behavior change among patients. The findings of this study support the recommendation that Oklahomans should have increased access to LM interventions in hopes of experiencing significant shifts in improved health outcomes and reduced chronic disease risk factors for individuals and at the community level when such interventions are implemented at scale.