MADISON - One of the nation's first "green medicine" conferences will highlight the often-ignored relationships between the health of people and the health of the planet.
The conference, scheduled April 14-15 at the Monona Terrace Convention Center, will feature two keynote speakers who have studied the connection between environment and public health.
Dr. Karl-Henrik Robért, one of Sweden's foremost cancer scientists and founder of The Natural Step, an international organization that promotes social, ecological and economic approaches to sustain life on Earth, will talk about four topics:
- Human exposure to contaminants through increased mining of heavy metals
- Presence of toxic chemicals in food and water that have jeopardized public health
- The need to end destruction of green space, including rain forests and watersheds
- Better distribution of natural resources to improve global health
Richard Davidson, PhD, University of Wisconsin professor of psychology and psychiatry, and director of the Waisman Laboratory for brain imaging and behavior, will discuss his research into the use of meditation medication, and its ability to relieve stress and ward off disease. Through his research on studying positive emotions in Buddhist monks, Davidson will discuss how removing toxic emotions can be just as important as removing toxic chemicals.
Other lectures will provide information on alternative sources of medical care that may curtail the need for invasive surgery, prescription drugs and similar remedies.
"Green medicine will educate people on how everyday lifestyle choices may create positive changes for public health and the planet," said
David Rakel, MD, director of
UW Health Integrative Medicine. "This may be the first conference of its kind sponsored by a university."
The conference is open to health care professionals, including medical students, and members of the public.
Sponsors include the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Office of Continuing Professional Development in Medicine and Public Health, and
UW Health Integrative Medicine.
