Minnesota offers holistic CAM education

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Jan, 2005 by Elaine Zablocki

New Website Offers Consumer Information

The Center's latest effort is a website for consumers. "Taking Charge of Your Health," with content written by Kreitzer and other members of the university faculty, will help consumers find reliable, balanced information to improve their health and well-being. It includes modules on ways to find healthcare providers who meet your needs, communicate more effectively with healthcare providers, and find and evaluate health information on the Web. One section explores options in healing, including complementary therapies. There are many references, and a truly wonderful list of links for additional information.

Consumer education is important, says Kreitzer, because so many diseases are related to lifestyle. "Drugs, doctors, and hospitals are not the solution for the growing problems associated with lack of physical activity, poor diet, obesity, smoking, and stress," she says. "Educating consumers is a natural extension of our work, because the changes we're seeing in healthcare go beyond complementary methods of care. Just as much, these changes are shaped by people who want to take personal responsibility for their own health and wellness."

Resources

For more information about the Center for Spirituality and Healing, their course offerings, and "Taking Charge of Your Health," visit www.csh.umn.edu.

by Elaine Zablocki

Elaine Zablocki is the editor of CHRF News Files, a bimonthly emailed newsletter about the emerging integrative medicine industry, published by the Collaboration for Healthcare Renewal Foundation. Recent issues of the News Files are posted at www.thecollaboration.org