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Frequently asked Questions - FAQWhat does Teleosis mean? The Greek root telos means the end point or ultimate point, while the suffix -osis refers to a natural process of all living beings. The word teleosis sums up the idea that we are all growing towards greater perfection and greater realization of our own higher self. This commitment to grow as human beings offers a vision of health for people, communities as well as the global environment. How is the health of the environment related to my health? The physical environment is one of the single most important determinants of human health. As numerous studies have demonstrated, protection of the water, air, food and the larger global ecosystem has a direct correlation to the prevention of illness and the preservation of health. As the earth provides us with the many necessary ingredients for survival, we can see that the food we eat, the water we bathe in, the place we live, the home we live in, where we work, dance, play, and run all affect our health. It is our responsibility to choose and provide sustainable health care practices that do not increase the degradation of the environment. How is the current American medical model unsustainable? What passes as the gold standard for healthcare in this country is so costly that it is now out of reach for some 44 million uninsured Americans. We have established an expectation for a level of care, based on unsustainable practices and technologies, which cannot be extended even to the majority of Americans. When coupled with increasing environmental degradation across the globe, we have created a situation where what is defined as the best healthcare cannot even begin to meet the current and future needs of the global population. As many experts are all too aware, we are reaching a global crisis that lives at the intersection of human health and environmental sustainability. We have reached a point where how we think about medical care and delivery matters deeply. Sustainable, cost-effective, and widely available medical practices must be prioritized wherever possible. What is the difference between Ecologically Sustainable Medicine and Environmental Medicine? Environmental Medicine is the body of medicine which deals with chronic diseases caused by or aggravated by environmental allergens and toxins. According to the Academy of Environmental Medicine, this field provides a comprehensive, proactive and preventive strategic approach to medical care dedicated to the evaluation, management, and prevention of the adverse consequences resulting from Environmentally Triggered Illnesses. In this sense, Environmental Medicine focuses solely on how the environment effects the health of humans. Ecologically Sustainable Medicine focuses on the complete relationship between human health and the health of the environment. By committing to the use and practice of Ecologically Sustainable Medicine, there is a shift in focus to not only how the environment is affecting human health, but how human action is effecting the environment. ESM relies on health care practices and techniques that are safe, effective, and cause no harm to the patient or the ecosystem. How do current medical practices hurt the environment? Current medical practices rely on the utilization of toxic products, chemicals, and materials. Contemporary biomedicine heavily relies on practices that harm the environment. These products and chemicals include but are not limited to mercury, PVC and DEHP, cleaners, pesticides and disinfectants, antibiotics, and other pharmaceutical drugs. These eventually pollute the air, water, and land. By engaging in certain waste and toxin reducing practices, allopathic medicine can be a major player in the move towards sustainability. As a health care practitioner, why should I join Teleosis? As a health care provider you hold a strong position in the community, both for your clients and your colleagues. Patients look to their health care providers for advice and guidance. This trust creates a great opportunity in which these same health care professionals can leverage this relationship into a new type of environmental stewardship -- one that relies on sustainable medical services and engagement with environmental health issues. The health care facility is potentially the most important place for environmental action. By becoming a member of Teleosis, you will gain the knowledge, insight, and ability to move beyond your office and own life, by educating clients on health seeking behaviors that benefit both the self and the environment. Is being a member of Teleosis and practicing ESM the same as using a “green” office? That is part of it. “Greening” a health care office is a major step towards sustainability. However, at Teleosis, we encourage each member to go beyond the first phase of working in a “green” built environment by becoming involved on a deeper level in the relationship between human health and the health of the environment. The second phase introduced by Teleosis is to become an Environmental Health Advocate in which each member learns to track environmental health issues that involve both people and the ecosystem, and report them to the appropriate sources. Once you participate in a green office and become a health advocate for your community, Teleosis works with you to better understand ESM health care practices so you can integrate modalities that are focused on safety, prevention, reusability, and protection of human and environmental health. What health care modalities are considered practices of Ecologically Sustainable Medicine? Many practices are considered to be ecologically sustainable in terms of the effects of these treatments on human health and the health of the environment. To see a complete list of ESM practices click here. ESM Practices As a member, what do I receive from Teleosis? By joining the Teleosis Institute as a professional member of the ESM Network, you will become a part of a growing movement for sustainable, affordable healthcare. Membership enables you to grow new skills as a healthcare professional and an environmental steward within a community of like-minded peers. For more information on what materials professional members will receive please click here: Benefit and Services |