It’s no secret the chronic disease epidemic in America is bad and getting worse.
One way to address chronic disease in this country is to promote functional and integrative medicine, disciplines that seek to address the root cause(s) of disease.
Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) should be included.
NDs, though a small profession, have been far ahead of the curve in understanding and seeking to address chronic disease using lifestyle-based and non-pharmacologic therapies aimed at addressing the root cause(s) of disease.
These references provide important insight on that claim:
- The Leadership of the Naturopathic Profession in the Emergence of Integrative and Functional Medicine … plus more
- The Natural Roots of Functional Medicine
A recent and comprehensive Health Technology Assessment provides detailed evidence on how impactful NDs could be at improving the health of all Americans if given support.
A few simple, low-cost actions would get that ball rolling:
- Encourage robust Naturopathic licensure across all 50 states
- Include NDs in Medicare
- Employ NDs in VA facilities
NDs could contribute a lot towards Making America Healthy Again if given the chance.