I'm delighted to announce the launch of our newest section, HuffPost Health. Coverage of medical and health-related issues has always been part of HuffPost's editorial DNA, with a particular focus on an integrative approach to wellness that includes prevention, nutrition, exercise, and awareness of the impact the state of our mind can have on the state of our health.
Over the years, posts by our health bloggers, including Dr. Mark Hyman, Dr. Andrew Weil, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dr. Michael Breus, and our Medical Editor, Dr. Dean Ornish have been among the most popular on the site, and the HuffPost community's interest in all things health has grown to the point that it became clear that the topic -- with all its many permutations -- deserved a section of its own.
HuffPost Health will cover the waterfront. It will educate about medical conditions, offer the latest news on how lifestyle changes can improve your health, spotlight innovations in health technology and surgery, provide a forum for in-depth conversations on mental health issues and the mind/body connection, delve into health care policy issues, feature new fitness programs and evaluate new workout equipment. From open-heart surgery to yoga, from medication to meditation, from the FDA's attempt to regulate vitamins to the healing benefits of a good night's sleep, HuffPost Health will be a one-stop shop for the latest news and opinion on what ails us -- and what we can do to live healthier lives.
The section will also be home to a robust debate about the best approaches to health and well-being, explored through the diverse perspectives of doctors, health practitioners, scientists, researchers, fitness and nutrition experts, patients, and health consumers.
HuffPost Health will be edited by Alana Elias Kornfeld, who also oversees HuffPost Living, with Dr. Dean Ornish as medical editor, Dr. Patricia Fitzgerald as wellness editor, Dr. Lloyd Sederer as medical editor, mental health, and Dr. Susan Blumenthal as public health editor.
As part of our expanded health coverage, we've added a Medical Review Board to provide guidance and allow us to maintain the highest standards. See the inaugural Medical Review Board members here.
Our approach to matters of sickness and health has changed radically over the past few decades. We no longer approach our health as a passive experience, one where we sit back, allow ourselves to be poked, prodded, examined, receive the verdict, and compliantly go along with whatever the High Priests of Medicine say. We've become partners in our medical care, and the best healthcare providers welcome and encourage the partnership. Because of this, making sure we have the latest information, the widest range of perspectives and options, and the fullest understanding of ourselves and our health is vital. HuffPost Health's goal is to inform, enlighten, challenge, inspire, and help you make educated decisions about your health and well-being.
So let us know what you think. Your feedback -- and your involvement -- are an indispensable part of this section.
For more on HuffPost Health, read Dr. Dean Ornish's post on the launch.
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Can we get a similar page on the education issue?
I'd like to hear professionals' solutions to becoming more competitive. We've been losing that war for the last twenty years when we decided lower taxes were more important than our children's futures.
Its not you, its me
me dont like you
(1) individual behavior in fact has little impact on health. Where you live and socioeconomic factors like education, income, racism, etc are more significant contributors of health. I would hope you'd focus on these as well as individual behaviors.
(2) your advisory committee is only physicians. I would hope you'd include the other professionals that comprise 21st century health care teams (nurses, pharmacists, social workers, lawyers, community health workers, etc) to ensure a more diverse set of perspectives and topics.
Thank you.
I completely disagree with that statement. Lets take into account addictions in all of their various forms and then tell me individual behavior isn't the root cause of most of our health problems. Doctors go to the medications right away rather then asking the hard questions.
I'm a firm believer in, "Your head is out to get your tush." Stress is the number one killer from where I stand.
Alcoholism, drug addiction, prescription abuse, obesity, resentments (these are real stress builders), any one of these plus many others brings with them pure stress. Stomach problems, headaches, high blood pressure, blood problems, these are the elephants in the room. But very few doctors will ask about how things are in your life, and worse yet few patients will talk about personal problems until it's a bit late.
Most people who become addicts, especially opiates and alcohol, do so because they are trying to self medicate pain issues. Many are young people who are not believed. "You're too young" to have arthritis. I was told that so many times, even though I was diagnosed at age 22 and my neck was already showing it.
I am also concerned about quackery. There is too much quack medicine and pseudo science out there and I was subjected to some of that in an attempt to find relief.
There should be a quack alert on this space too.
Thanks for your attention. Thanks for this section.