Naturopathic medicine has been a unique and integral part of Oregon’s public health landscape for more than a century. This National Public Health Week, the Oregon Association of Naturopathic Physicians (OANP) invites Oregonians to honor and celebrate the rich history and tradition of naturopathic medicine in Oregon.
Naturopathic medicine, which has a history of more than 125 years, dates back to 1885 with the term “naturopathy” coined by Dr. John Seale and later popularized by Dr. Benedict Last. Since then, it has grown with the first school of naturopathic medicine founded in New York City in 1902 by Dr. Benjamin Rust. The OANP was founded in 1909 and stands as the oldest association of naturopathic physicians in North America.
Oregon has been at the forefront of this movement, officially issuing licenses for naturopathic physicians since 1927. The state is home to the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, which pioneered naturopathic education even after the decline of natural medicine in the middle ages. 20th century.
Today, naturopathic medicine is experiencing a resurgence as the public seeks a more patient-centered and holistic approach to health. The National University of Natural Medicine has quadrupled its enrollment in response to a society that values an active role in personal health and healing.
Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization, emphasizes the harmonious integration of traditional, complementary, and Western medicine. Since 2014, he has been a leader in this integrated approach, in line with his WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy for 2023.
OANP is proud to support Oregonians on their health journey by connecting them with board-certified naturopathic physicians who are dedicated to a holistic, patient-centered approach to health care. As we celebrate National Public Health Week, let’s recognize the unique contributions of naturopathic medicine to Oregon’s health care system and the broader goal of integrative medicine.
The theme for National Public Health Week in 2024 is “Protect, Connect, and Thrive: We Are All Public Health.” For those interested in exploring naturopathic medicine, OANP connects people with qualified We can help connect you with a naturopathic doctor. Find more information today at www.oanp.org/findanND. Together, we can work towards a healthier Oregon, protecting and nurturing what makes our state’s health care great and continuing to thrive.
This article is based on submitted information and has not been verified by our news team.
