Monday, January 6, 2025 9:00 AM PST
Ruthann Russo
A meditation on the relationship among health equity, the indigenous science of permaculture, and integrative health practices
Our ancestors knew that living in harmony with nature and Mother Earth is essential for human beings to be well. Caring for health was and ought to be a natural resource and a right to which everyone is entitled. In this discussion, we explore the relationship among universal indigenous beliefs, illustrated through the principles of permaculture, together with traditional medicine and derivative integrative health practices. They each consider the whole person within the whole system, observe how the parts relate and connect, and design methods to mend systemic problems in a sustainable manner. In our discussion we will consider whether it is possible that these concepts may be woven together and used to not only create equitable access to health and healthcare, but also break down the barriers that perpetuate injustice.
Ruthann Russo, PhD, DAc, JD, MPH, DiplACLM, DiplAcu, NBC-HWC
BIO
As an integrative health practitioner advocating for health equity and justice, I provide affordable community acupuncture at the Zen Den in New Jersey and serve as co-principal investigator for the Community-Based Maternal and Infant Health Equity Research Study sponsored by Tammy Murphy, the First Lady of New Jersey. I have proudly served Saybrook University as an adjunct faculty member in Mind-Body Medicine since 2014. With a PhD in Mind-Body Medicine from Saybrook University as one of my four earned doctorate degrees, I am unconditionally committed to lifelong learning