Step Into Whole-Person Living

Editorial by Harvey Hahn

Over the years as a cardiologist, I’ve seen one simple truth become clearer with time:
Scripture’s wisdom about the heart—both literal and spiritual—is continually affirmed by experience.

What the Bible has long taught about nourishment, rest, moderation, community and purpose is no longer seen as merely devotional insight or something practiced by a small corner of the world; it is now being embraced at a cultural level with remarkable enthusiasm.

Everywhere we look, we see reminders. Products promising cleaner living. Programs promoting whole-food diets or mindful movement. Influencers urging people to drink more water, get more sleep, manage stress, abstain from harmful substances and strengthen their social connections. Healthier living is back in the public’s awareness in a way some might even describe as a resurrection of old wisdom.

But for Seventh-day Adventists, this message has long been alive and well. Long before the phrase “lifestyle medicine” was coined, our church emphasized whole-person living as an expression of both stewardship and discipleship. Our health message was never meant to be a fad; it was a way of life rooted in Scripture and shaped by experience. Today, among the litany of books and resources, such as the Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones documentary, which highlights Adventists in Loma Linda as a global example of longevity and wholeness, whole-person health has captured the cultural consciousness.

What the world is rediscovering is what we have cherished for more than a century: that abundant life is not found in extremes, elite programs or expensive regimens. It is found in daily, accessible practices: resting deeply, moving regularly, eating whole foods, nurturing relationships, serving others and trusting fully in the God who created our bodies for joy, purpose and resilience.

As we step into 2026, Kettering Health is embracing this moment with renewed energy. We are deepening our commitment to lifestyle medicine, community wellness and care models shaped by our Adventist heritage. Our aim is to help people not only live longer but better—to support the habits that sustain whole-person flourishing and reflect the abundant life Jesus promised. This is a unique opportunity for our church and our health system. The world is hungry for what we have long understood. Now is the time to lean into that heritage, share it widely and live it faithfully.

So let us—you and I—recommit ourselves to whole-person living. Let us embrace the daily practices that guard our hearts and shape our lives. And let us, together, model the abundant life Christ offers to all.

Harvey Hahn, M.D., is a specialist in cardiovascular disease at Kettering Health, based in Ohio.