Leigh Ann
Chapman ND

Let Food Be Thy Medicine,

And Let Thy Medicine Be Food-  Hippocrates

 

Every physician in practice today swears the "Hippocratic Oath" written by the founder of modern medicine.   I can think of no better way to honor Hippocrates than to practice good medicine and provide patients a path to whole health.

In this concept of whole health, we have planted an experiment in "food as medicine" by farming the land behind our clinic.  

With an organic farm in our back lot, we are expanding the model of health care to recognize food as medicine, sustainability as medicine, community as medicine and exercise as medicine (farm work is hard work!)  

What a wonderful feeling to have patients explore the garden after an appointment and take tomatoes fresh off the vine!  We invite all of you to stop by and take a look at our garden.  Hopefully our farm will be an inspiration to bring gardens to your yard and fresh food to your table.  It is easier than you think!

For more photos of the garden, click here!

Here are some Autism Statistics to be aware of :

Autism is diagnosed in 1 in 150 children and 1 in 94 boys⁽¹⁾

1 to 1.5 million Americans have Autism⁽²⁾

Autism is America's fastest-growing developmental disability with 10 - 17 % annual growth

Growth comparison during the 1990s⁽³⁾:
U.S. population increase: 13%
Disabilities increase: 16%
Autism increase: 172%

Autism has a price tag of about $90 billion annually with 90% of all costs in adult services⁽⁴⁾

Cost of lifelong care can be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention⁽⁴⁾

 

If you are wondering what you can do to get involved and stay informed, then participate in one of the events listed in the link below.  Each of these events donates money to organizations that support families by providing resources and funding research. 

 

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1. Based on prevalence statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2007).
2.  Based on the autism prevalence rate of 2 to 6 per 1,000 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2001) and 2000 U.S. Census figure of 280 million Americans.
3.  U.S. Department of Education's "Twenty-First Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act" (1999). 4.  Jarbrink K, Knapp M, 2001, London School of Economics study: "The economic impact on autism in Britain," 5 (1): 7-22.

I am excited to announce that my practice is moving to a new location as of March 1, 2008!  My husband, also a naturopathic physician, and I have recently purchased a commercial property in the beautiful Sellwood neighborhood of SE Portland.  We are excited about working closer to home and realizing our dream of having a family business with a focus on family medicine.