The impact on the Quality of Life (QoL) of 120 ‘well’ patients in a health promotion group and 480 patients with pre-existing, pre-diagnosed, mostly chronic conditions, in an illness management group was assessed over the period of one year after offering them an Individualised Health Care Plan based on the six Tibb lifestyle factors. The research was conducted by community healthcare workers affiliated to the City of Johannesburg’s 23 clinics in region D (Soweto), who were trained as Tibb Lifestyle Advisors. QoL assessments were completed at the beginning and end of the study. The healthy group showed a marked improvement in overall health, whereas the results in the illness management group was significantly greater. This study highlights the importance of the Tibb approach of lifestyle changes in health promotion and illness management that provides specific guidelines on air and breathing, diet, exercise, sleep, emotions and elimination. The importance of this pilot study’s findings is discussed in the context of financial and logistical factors as a way of halting the increasing incidence of chronic diseases of lifestyle.
