Getting to the Root Problem in Schools and Healthcare

"WHAT ROLE SHOULD COMPLEMENTARYAmerican schools giving talks not only to the
HEALTH CARE PLAY IN RESOLVING THEadministrators, but also to the parents and kids
HEALTH CARE CRISIS?"during assembly. These talks would focus on
Education reform is a topic discussed around thediabetes type II and ADD. The talks would
clock. Healthcare reform is right alongside. Hasaddress prevention, signs/symptoms, dietary
anyone thought perhaps both issues may besuggestions, menu design and health risks. The
linked successfully?trick is not just having another lecture. It must be
Having worked for the Headstart program thisinteractive, fun and rewarding for all attending and
summer in two elementary schools, I saw firstlistening. A good plan would be having ND
hand the absolute necessity for educatingresidents traveling about as they are younger and
students, teachers and the entire administrationschool kids would relate better with them. The
about dietary issues.carefully chosen ND residents would have the
Day after day, I saw the lunches for kindergartenopportunity to travel nationally putting them into
up to 3rd grade. These lunches came inthe spotlight thereby ensuring a successful future.
Styrofoam boxes with French fries and a mainGiving T-shirts, games, books and healthy snacks
entrée. Ketchup, milk and chocolate milkaway to participating teachers, parents and kids
lay waiting on a shelf below with the teacherswould increase the interactive activity. Raffling off
asking - "Would you like chocolate or regular milk?"a grand prize would also increase attendance and
Obviously, the little ones demanded chocolateparticipation.
roughly 80% of the time. The French fries paintedThe funds would come from donations -
liberally with processed Heinz ketchup.supplement companies (required to remain
With non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (Typeanonymous thereby preventing sales pressures
II Diabetes) on the exponential rise and Attentionand bad press), clinics, hospitals, doctors, parents,
Deficit Disorder (ADD) labeled on any child whoschool districts, airline companies, local businesses
does not sit still, the necessity for Naturopathicand numerous other possibilities.
consultations is beyond enormous.The tours would be advertised on local public radio
Those of us in the healthcare bubble know thatstations (donated air time), local and state papers,
type II is on the rise and Ritalin is over-prescribed;and throughout the school districts by memos and
but do the little ones? Do teachers, parents ande-mails. The schools and districts would meet a
school administrators? They may have heardyear in advance to plan this yearly event.
about it on the news one night along with theThere exists a nurse on staff in each school. That
fires, weather and shootings.is great but the preventative aspect of medicine
We now have ND's on the Medicare board. Weis absent. ND's are known for preventative
have ND's in hospitals. We have ND's working withmedicine and kids are known for their enthusiasm.
MD's in specialty clinics. This is incredible and ourWhat a perfect mix. I can already see the news
medicine is helping numerous people. Yet we havebulletins - "Traveling ND's successfully decrease
missed a big target - a big preventative target.diabetes and ADD in schools.
My plan is this: Have a team of naturopaths tour