More than half and as many as two third of all premature deaths in the U.S. are due to lifestyle factorsthat can be modified and are in control of the individual. A shift in healthcare away from disease and illness and toward emphasizing wellness and health is occurring, but clearly, there is room for improvement. A new approach to wellness has emerged in the last decade, as a complementary approach to the traditional; illness-based medical model for treatment of mental and physical disorders.

In response to the need, a variety of programs have emerged '1-~ that represent new directions in health care. An example is Dean Ornish's nonsurgical, nonpharmacolgial approach to reversing heart disease, a pro- gram so successful that it receives funding from Medicare. The success of this program is based on the use of nontraditional "therapies," including stress management techniques, improving communications and interpersonal relationships, modification of lifestyle ,factors such as exercise and diet, meditation, and communication with a personally defined higher power. And perhaps most important is the fact that the emerging paradigm in healthcare stresses prevention, early intervention and alternative methods of remediation, strategies that are in the purview of the skills of professionals. These include a prevention focus that incorporates a wellness, holistic, and developmental orientation, and treatment planning that builds on the strengths and assets of clients.

Wellness is defined as a way of life, oriented toward optimal health and well-being in which body, mind and spirit are integrated by the individual to live more fully within the human and natural community. Ideally, it is the optimum state of health and well-being that an individual is capable of achieving. This definition and wellness model incorporates theoretical concepts from multiple disciplines, namely theoretical perspectives regarding personality, social, clinical health, developmental psychology and societal aspects are inherent in the model, as are stress management and behavioral medicine

The mission of the program at The Hudson Center is an approach that utilizes a holistic model of wellness and prevention based on the model developed by Myers, Sweeney and Witmer, which incorporates five life tasks that are interrelated and interconnected. These five tasks are spirituality, self- direction, work, friendship and love.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting: The Hudson Center. David Holstein, President and Executive Director

845-534-2926.

24 It's a Wonderful Town SEPTEMBER 2005