The Present
1. How is Healthcare Operating Today?
Lack of evidence based approach
High incidence of Alcoholism and Diabetes – esp among native Americans
Asthma is increasing – related to changing air quality from mining, dust, vehicles
Dysfunctional Behavioral Health system
Dysfunctional Oral Health system
2. What Currently Exists that contributes to sustainability?
Sponsors of the Conference on the Health Effects of Climate Change
Evidence based practices
Education and Personal Responsibility (eg. Personal wellness training, integrative medicine)
Tucson Wholistic Chamber of Commerce
St. Elizabeth Health Center
El Rio Community Health Center
Marana Community Health Center
Co-Housing movement
Tucson Integrative Health Professionals (breakfast group)
3. What Current Practices are at odds with sustainability?
Insurance company policies
Food industry
Crisis oriented care / Lack of Wellness philosophy
Reimbursement based on Procedures rather than education/health maintenance
Dwindling Primary Care Base
The Vision
1. What is the overall benefit in becoming sustainable for healthcare?
Affordability
Wholistic Philosophy (rather than crisis or prevention – secondary) integrating physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the individual
Evolutionary (healthy food > exercise > sense of community > healthy maturity)
Healthier Habitations (indoor environments)
Service Orientation rather than Profit Orientation
Empowering the Individual – personal responsibility for their health and wellness
2. What activities, businesses, practices, regulations, incentives, policies, collaborations don’t exist today that can lead to sustainable healthcare in Tucson?
While there are many primary care providers, both conventional and alternative, in Tucson, there is lacking a model of coordinated, service oriented, wellness based, integrated network of providers. Our vision is the development of such a network using a multi-disciplinary approach. This dovetails nicely with discussions and testimony happening at the federal level upon a background of health care reform.
The current culture of fast foods and processed foods is insidious in our community and this contributes to the load of suffering. Additional educational efforts that are from an independent source are needed.
Last November the First Annual Conference on the Health Effects of Climate Change was offered. It will be important to build on the momentum of this effort.
3. Identify realistic projects and activities that the health committee can spearhead during the next few years.
(see attached description of the model)
Support for trans-fatty acid ban in Tucson community
Education (pamphlets and/or demonstration projects on wellness to include topics on “Real Food”, healthy habitations, and natural health and healing)
Support the effort for a Second Annual Conference on the Health Effects of Climate Change.
4. How do these group projects and activities address the core problems of sustainability Tucson is facing at present.
Create a model of care that can be duplicated in other communities which features cost effectiveness, “best of all worlds” methods for sustained wellness, coordination and integration of providers.
Decrease the “inflammatory burden” on the public so that the community wellness index increases.
Increase the public awareness of healthy living which decreases heath care costs in the long run.
Increase the awareness of the professional community and serve as a catalyst for organized responses to the looming health impact of climate change.
