Dr. Irene Lazarus, a board-certified physician specialist in Preventive Medicine and General Public Health, is excited to join Nashville Fitness Magazine as a new physician contributor. Dr. Lazarus is a first generation Honduran American who has had a rich career journey navigating safety-net medical systems and building community engagement in the Southeast and Southwest United States.
She is a multifaceted specialist holding a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Meharry Medical College and Doctorate in Medicine (MD) from UT Southwestern in Dallas, Texas. She now resides in Nashville, where she is developing her preventive medicine practice. As the founder of Minority Wellness, a nonprofit organization focused on health education and preventive care, Dr. Lazarus is passionate about advocating for small, consistent lifestyle changes that can have a profound impact on long-term health.
Minority Wellness was established with the mission of bridging gaps in health education and preventive care through community-driven initiatives. Its vision is to create a future where individuals, regardless of background, have the knowledge and resources to take control of their well-being.
The organization is built upon four key pillars:
Preventive Medicine is a medical specialty centered on maintaining population health and implementing multi-tiered interventions to prevent disease. This specialty encompasses:
Preventive care also includes lifestyle medicine, which emphasizes individual health strategies. Rather than focusing solely on treating illnesses after they develop, this approach promotes proactive steps such as regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, mental well-being, and access to preventive healthcare services tailored to a person’s risk factors.
Evidence from large population studies in both the United States and China underscores the powerful impact of lifestyle interventions on cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes at every level of prevention.
In the United States, poor diet, lack of physical activity, and tobacco use are among the leading contributors to heart disease and stroke. Research from the American Heart Association highlights how small behavior changes—like choosing water over soda or increasing daily step counts—can dramatically lower risk. Programs such as Life’s Simple 7 show that improving basic lifestyle metrics reduces the likelihood of heart attacks, strokes, and related deaths.
In China, rapid urbanization and the adoption of Westernized diets have led to rising rates of ischemic heart disease and stroke. A landmark public health study found that provinces implementing basic lifestyle education, salt reduction strategies, and community screening programs observed slower CVD progression and improved health outcomes over time.
Together, these insights reveal that empowering individuals with accessible tools and information is not just good policy—it saves lives.
When it comes to health, minor but consistent changes often lead to the most significant results. Many individuals associate fitness with rigorous gym workouts or restrictive diets; however, true preventive health is about adopting sustainable habits that enhance overall well-being.
Take, for example, a working mother who struggled to find time for exercise. Instead of committing to hour-long gym sessions, she began taking 10-minute walks after meals. Within weeks, she experienced increased energy, improved digestion, and a more positive mood. Small but meaningful steps like these can substantially impact heart health, blood sugar levels, and mental well-being.
Preventive medicine emphasizes simple yet effective strategies—regular movement, balanced nutrition, and stress management—to help individuals avoid chronic conditions before they develop. Whether it’s choosing stairs over elevators, replacing sugary drinks with water, or incorporating an extra serving of vegetables into daily meals, incremental choices add up over time.
The key is to identify habits that are enjoyable and sustainable. By starting small and remaining consistent, individuals can set themselves up for long-term health success—one step at a time.
As part of its commitment to preventive health and community wellness, Minority Wellness will host the Nashville Caribbean Fun Run & Wellness Festival on June 21st at Shelby Park in East Nashville. This family-friendly event will celebrate health, movement, and cultural diversity with music, food, wellness booths and recovery services, and more!
👉 Register here: Nashville Caribbean Fun Run Festival
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