What’s CHIP?
CHIP is an educationally intensive lifestyle intervention program with more than 40,000 graduates worldwide. Founded and presented by Dr. Hans Diehl, and endorsed by the Physicians’ Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) and the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), both headquartered in Washington, D.C., the CHIP program focuses on markedly reducing coronary risk factor levels through the adoption of better health habits and appropriate lifestyle changes. The goal is to facilitate disease reversal by lowering blood cholesterol, triglyceride and blood sugar levels by reducing excess weight, lowering high blood pressure, enhancing daily exercise, and by eliminating smoking. Risk factor levels are carefully assessed before the educational intervention begins, immediate following the completion of the 40-hour educational program, and again after three and 12 months. The results have been published in the American Journal of Cardiology (1998) and the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (2002).

The CHIP program conducted in Rockford is hosted by the SwedishAmerican Health System. The goal is to graduate 7,000 residents, or 7% of the adult population, and to make Rockford the healthiest city in North America. The program is either conducted by Dr. Diehl himself as a “live” program, or conducted via a state-of-the-art video set with trained facilitators. The program is either conducted over a period of four weeks, where people meet from Monday through Thursday for two hours for four weeks, or, they attend the CHIP program offered twice a week for eight weeks. The CHIP program is currently conducted in more than 150 cities via the video program offered through faith-based communities, through licensed CHIP leaders, or through arrangements with corporations.

CHIP is based on the foundation that, according to the U.S. Surgeon General, 75% of our Western diseases are “lifestyle-related.” They relate to our rich diet, our lack of exercise, our use of cigarettes, alcohol, and caffeine, our level of stress, and the quality of our support. The diseases include: heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, gout, arthritis, overweight, certain adult cancers, impotence, diverticular disease, constipation, heartburn, and gall bladder disease. The CHIP program is community-based, works closely with referring physicians, schools, and local restaurants, and sustains adherence to the program guidelines through an active CHIP alumni support organization.

The CHIP Video Program is offered in either a 4-week (4 meetings per week) or 8-week (2 meetings per week) format, depending on the needs of the group. Below is a description of the course content and activities.

Free Information Session
An opportunity to learn about the program, ask questions, register and sign up for HeartScreen #1.

HeartScreen #1 (Pre-Test)
Includes a review of medications, fasting lipid profile and blood sugar, lifestyle assessment, height, weight, blood pressure and a heart healthy breakfast.

16 Video-CHIP Lectures
Dr. Hans Diehl is the dynamic lecturer in this compelling video series complete with superb graphics, illustrations, and humorous stories. Local presentations provide for live interaction, heart-healthy recipe demonstrations with samples, and lots of fun. Participants receive a textbook, workbook, notebook, CHIP bag and water bottle.
 
Click here to see the list of lecture topics during the program > >

Applied Nutrition Workshop and Shopping Tour (optional)
Teaches valuable grocery shopping and cooking skills.

HeartScreen #2 (Post-Test)
Measures the changes in lifestyle, clinical outcomes, and medications.

Graduation
A celebration of progress with a special meal, diploma, CHIP pin and kitchen knife.

Alumni Organization
Meets on a regular basis for learning, inspiration and encouragement.

CLASS & VIDEO LECTURE SCHEDULE

WEEK 1
Modern Medicine: Miracles, Medicines, & Mirages
The limitations of high-tech medical approaches in dealing with lifestyle related diseases.

Portrait of a Killer: Onslaught from Within
Atherosclerosis, the culprit, in many lifestyle diseases.

Stalking the Killer
Reviewing the risk factors for coronary heart disease.

Eat More and Weigh Less
Basic guidelines for healthy, sustained weight loss.

WEEK 2
Going Up in Smoke
Smoking—the most controllable risk factor for coronary heart disease.
     
The Magic of Fiber
The role of fiber in preventing and reversing lifestyle diseases.
     
Reversing Hypertension
Changing the major risk factors for high blood pressure.
     
Disarming Diabetes
Lifestyle factors that can arrest or reverse diabetes.
     
Effective Cholesterol Control
Dietary factors that prominently affect blood levels of cholesterol.
     
Fats in the Fire
The role of excessive fat intake in lifestyle diseases.

WEEK 3
Fit at Any Age
Benefits of regular exercise in preventing and arresting disease.
     
Boning Up on Osteoporosis
Causes and prevention of this so-called "disease of aging".
     
Lifestyle and Health
Clinical studies that demonstrate how lifestyle choices are related to health.
     
The Optimal Diet
Positive dietary guidelines for the prevention and reversal of Western diseases.

WEEK 4
Diet and Cancer
Dietary factors in the development and prevention of common cancers.
     
Atherosclerosis of the Mind
The importance of adaptability in achieving and maintaining optimal health.
     
The Gift of Forgiveness
How a spirit of forgiveness enhances emotional and overall health.
     
Building Self Worth
The development, preservation and role of self worth in a healthy person.