Lifestyle & Nutrition Course Launches in Oregon

13-week program focuses on using food as medicine to address chronic illnesses

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:30am

A high-contrast, silkscreen-style grid of a single healthy food item, such as a carrot or apple, rendered in a bold, neon color palette that transforms the everyday into modern pop art.A vibrant pop art celebration of the healthy foods at the heart of a community-driven nutrition course.Roseburg Today

A new 13-week Lifestyle & Nutrition Course is starting on April 14, 2026 in Roseburg, Oregon and surrounding areas. The evidence-based program uses lifestyle medicine strategies and food as medicine to address chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Participants can attend virtually or in-person at various locations, and the course includes cooking instruction, stress management techniques, and support from the community.

Why it matters

Chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes are major public health issues, and this program aims to empower participants to take control of their health through lifestyle changes and nutrition. By providing an accessible, community-based course, the organizers hope to make a meaningful impact on the health of residents in Douglas County and the surrounding region.

The details

The Lifestyle & Nutrition Course covers a new topic each week, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity. Participants will learn practical cooking skills, try healthy food samples, and receive recipes and handouts. The program also includes instruction on stress management through mindfulness and habit change. Over the past 10 years, thousands of people have completed the course and reported positive results like lower cholesterol, normalized blood sugar, and weight loss.

  • The 13-week Lifestyle & Nutrition Course starts on April 14, 2026.
  • The course has been running for over 10 years in the region.

The players

Food as Medicine Oregon

The organization that developed and runs the Lifestyle & Nutrition Course, a non-profit focused on using food and lifestyle medicine to address chronic health issues.

Aviva Health

A community health center in Roseburg, Oregon that hosts the in-person sessions of the Lifestyle & Nutrition Course.

CHI Mercy Medical Center

A healthcare provider in the region that refers patients to the Lifestyle & Nutrition Course.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Interested community members can register for the upcoming 13-week Lifestyle & Nutrition Course, which starts on April 14, 2026. The course is currently free to attend, with an optional sliding-scale donation program for those who want to contribute to sustaining and expanding the program.

The takeaway

This community-based nutrition and lifestyle course provides an accessible, evidence-based approach to addressing chronic health issues through food, mindfulness, and habit change. By empowering participants to take control of their health, the program aims to make a meaningful impact on public health outcomes in the region.