NEW YORK — The Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN), the world’s largest nutrition school, today announced that an important member of Congress has officially recognized January 12-18 as National Health and Wellness Coach Week. In a letter shared with Integrative Nutrition, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, touted his support for health coaches and the role they play in preventive care.

“The United States faces a health crisis due in large part to the prevalence of costly chronic conditions, which are largely brought on by poor lifestyle choices,” Ryan wrote. “Health and Wellness Coaches work with individuals and shift them from being passive recipients of expensive health care interventions to adopting a responsible, self-directed, proactive stance that facilitates lasting positive change. It is vital that Health and Wellness Coaches continue to expand their good work, the nation needs it.”

This stance is long shared by Joshua Rosenthal, founder, director and primary teacher of Integrative Nutrition. For 22 years, Integrative Nutrition has been a pioneer in the movement towards preventative health care, providing students with the skills and tools necessary to help clients achieve their health goals through lifestyle and behavior adjustments. Integrative Nutrition now has more than 58,000 students and graduates in 123 countries around the world who are working to improve the health and happiness of their families, friends, schools, workplaces, and communities.

“Chronic disease is at the heart of the current healthcare crisis, and health coaches are poised to make a real difference in the incidence of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other illness,” Rosenthal said. “Receiving recognition and support for health coaches from an influential member of Congress marks a huge victory in our mission to improve health and happiness, and through that process, transform the world.”