Whole Health Library Home

Welcome to the Whole Health Library

The Whole Health Library supports VA Clinicians and employees with evidence-based resources for whole-person care. Explore tools, research, and guidance that empowers and supports Veteren Health and well-being.

"The Whole Health approach equips people to take charge of their health. But this requires a change in how we think about health care—where clinical care is only one piece of the system, and not necessarily the centerpiece. This change of thinking is the transformation we're making across VA."

Ben Kligler, MD, MPH, Former Executive Director for the Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation, Veterans Health Administration

Time to start your Whole Health Library journey today!

An African-American Veteran wearing a red volunteers vest.

Whole Health for Veterans

Whole Health Site: Tools for Veterans to get started with Whole Health, including conversations with their VA health team, Personal Health Inventory resources, and more

Veteran Stories: Stories of Veterans across the country and how they use Whole Health approaches to improve their health and well-being.

Veteran Education Handouts: Created for Veterans from the different areas of the Circle of Health to support Veterans’ Whole Health journey. </

Whole Health Videos: Created for Veterans from the different areas of the Circle of Health to support Veterans’ Whole Health journey.

Three professionals in a clinical environment comparing notes and medical information.

Whole Health for Clinicians

Whole Health Clinical Tools: Tools to complement and enhance your encounters with Veterans.

Implementation: Evidence-Based Strategies for Implementing Whole Health Professionally and Personally.

Professional Care Overviews: Comprehensive overviews of health topics backed by evidence for Whole Health interventions.

Passport to Whole Health: An in-depth reference manual that explains the Whole Health approach, the Circle of Health, and how to implement Whole Health into your practice.

Three individuals in the outdoors with their mountain bikes.

Whole Health for Everyone

Self-Care: This includes overviews from the eight areas of self-care on the Circle of Health, such as Food & Drink, Rest & Recharge, and more.

Learn More: Find more information about Whole Health course offerings, the authors of the library, and more.

What some are saying about Whole Health

Whole Health improves health outcomes and clinician satisfaction.

Thumbnail image of a video entitled 'Whole Health Approach to Clinical Care'

Whole Health promotes health and well-being through skill-building.

Thumbnail image of an external Youtube video titled Skill Building to Promote Well-Being

These links go to an external website. By clicking on the links above, you will leave the Department of Veteran Affairs Website. The Department of Veterans Affairs does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.
For additional Whole Health videos, refer tothe VA Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation website.

The Circle of Health

The Circle of Health visually captures the richness of Whole Health. It can guide people as they reflect on their health and well-being and enhance conversations between patients and members of their care teams.

Whole Health Equation: consisting of five small circles beginning with “Me” in a
blue circle. A plus sign. “Self-Care” in a bright green circle. A plus sign. “
Professional Care” in a darker blue circle. A plus sign. “Community” in a light aqua
blue circle. An equal sign. And finally, “Whole Health” in a blue circle.

The Circle of Health acknowledges each persons uniqueness, putting him or her at the center of it all. From there, they are empowered through mindful awareness and self-care. They are supported and guided by a team of professionals, who may draw from both conventional and complementary approaches. They are embraced by their community. Using the Circle of Health, patients and other individuals identify what matters most to them, and then they work with their Whole Health team to create a Personal Health Plan that will move them closer to what is important to them.