A Whole Health Approach to Health Care
For the first time in history, the life expectancy in the United States has declined. And while modern medicine and its pharmaceuticals, therapeutics, and diagnostics continue to advance and create life-saving treatments, overall, our population is becoming less healthy. Why is this happening, and can we fix it?
Our unsustainable food system, climate change, pollution, lack of access to proper care, chronic stress, and much more all contribute to this change. So to fix the system, where do we start? Perhaps, the first step is recognizing the impact that imbalance, on any level of our lives, has on our health—in essence, adopting a well-rounded and whole-person approach to health care.
There are health care providers making this shift, even if they aren’t the dominant voice. Dr. Karina Fulton, OD, a Tribe member, is one example. After working in corporate, LASIK, and private practices for over thirteen years, Dr. Fulton recognizes the need for a personalized and thorough approach to eye health, which she incorporates into her current practice, Willow Vision Health. Dr. Fulton’s training at a Veteran Affairs Hospital after her graduate program helped introduce the idea of a different approach to eye care. “Within the VA, there’s centralized access to medical records, so you’re able to see how the entire whole health is of the patient,” Dr. Fulton explains.
Like any other area of the body, eye health is intricately tied to systemic health, but is often overlooked in traditional practices. But with Willow Vision Health, that’s not the case. “I make sure to talk with [patients] about systemic health, diabetes, hypertension, and offer to coordinate with their primary care provider about their systemic health, and how it impacts ocular health.” And while Dr. Fulton admits that it can be difficult to practice medicine in a non-standard way, the benefits usually outweigh the challenge. “People feel that they have their own personalized eye doctor. I really like to just work with families, because then I can watch the kids grow and address any concerns that they have when they’re studying and reading. You know, someone broke their glasses. They called me, and I was able to get a backup. Things like that, just promptness in the reply and knowing that someone’s there for you.”
While it can be challenging to go against the grain and practice health care in unconventional ways, it’s possible that a shift to a whole-health approach is becoming more prevalent, especially among younger generations. According to The Harris Poll, 25% of millennials use alternative therapies more than conventional medical treatment, and over 60% of Americans believe alternative therapies can be safe and effective. These numbers represent discontent with the current health care approach and indicate the need for a shift. The whole-health approach to health care is more caring, compassionate, and takes into account the lifestyle and needs of each patient. And while it may be a long time before this type of practice becomes the dominant voice, it’s not impossible. As the world becomes less healthy and less connected, a whole-person approach to health is becoming increasingly necessary. To work with Dr. Fulton, check out her Tribe practitioner page. To find other alternative health providers, head over to our practitioner directory.
