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Natural Awakenings South Central Pennsylvania

Sustainability and Integrative Medicine

Sustainability and integrative medicine are two of the features in this month’s issue. It wasn’t long ago that both of these topics were considered fringe ideas by many. Not so today. We’re glad that Natural Awakenings has been educating readers and moving the conversations forward on both topics for years.

Don’t get me wrong, the conversations would still be taking place without us, because both of these movements are gaining momentum and strength everywhere. Why wouldn’t they? It is inevitable that as a society and as local and regional neighborhoods, we need to find better ways to sustain our neighborhoods, our planet, our health and our healthcare systems.

Christine MacDonald discusses the growth of green neighborhoods throughout the country in “Sustainable Cityscapes” on page 22. She highlights urban redevelopment, healthy housing, friendly neighborhoods, upgraded transportation, clean energy, local food and waste reduction. The research indicates an unexpected upside of living greener; it not only makes us healthier, but happier, too.

In addition, our communities won’t be sustainable without modern healthcare institutions evolving with the research to serve the changing demand of its people. We’re pleased to include in this issue a reflective interview with the pioneer of Integrative Medicine, Dr. Andrew Weil (see page 20).

South Central Pennsylvania is lucky to have a strong and growing contingent of integrative physicians, dentists and health care providers (for pets, too) leading the way in an inevitable shift toward health promotion and prevention, rather than disease management. Many of these local integrative medicine and healthcare trailblazers are advertisers in this magazine. I encourage you to seek their counsel and stay connected to the evolving landscape of integrative medicine in our state. Our input and demands as consumers must be heard to influence the speed with which an integrative approach to health care becomes mainstream.

Autumn is here and we live in a beautiful landscape, surrounded by nature. Be sure to stop and appreciate the beauty and stay connected to the Earth. Recharge your body, mind and soul and set the stage for a contemplative and restful season. As always, feel good, live simply and laugh more.

Dave Korba, Publisher