This weekend, I’m going to the national Plant-Based Prevention of Disease conference (#PPOD18) which is an:
evidence-based look at how plant-based eating patterns may reduce the risks of society’s major preventable diseases.
The Raleigh gathering starts with an introduction by RD Matt Ruscigno asking “Why Does the Future of Healthcare Begin with Nutrition?” Because prevention is better than correction! As the P-POD press release says:
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 86% of U.S. health care expenditures are attributed to chronic disease, 7 of the 10 leading causes of death are chronic diseases, and half of American adults suffer from at least one. Yet, many of these diseases are preventable through dietary and lifestyle changes, which could save millions of lives and billions of dollars, and improve quality of life immeasurably. Plant-based whole foods have long been associated with improved biomarkers of health, and those following vegetarian or vegan diets show lower rates of nearly every chronic disease.
Other sessions I’m looking forward to include:
- Taking the Die out of Diet by Dr. Kim A. Williams, the immediate past president of the American College of Cardiology
- Using our Plate to Protect the Planet by Dr. Irana Hawkins
- Lifestyle Medicine Can Mobilize Plant-Based Diets against Chronic Inflammation (and its Aftermath) by Dr. Mladen Golubic
- Plant Proteins and Their Impact upon Human Health, Physiology and Disease Risk by Dr. Milton Mills
- Mindful Eating by integrative psychiatrist Dr.Ulka Agarwal
- Adolescent and Early Adult Diet Can Reduce Risk of Cancer, Diabetes, and Other Chronic Disease: Missed Opportunities for Prevention by Dr. Graham Colditz
- How Can Public Policy and Available Resources Be Mobilized to Improve Health Outcomes on a Community, Societal and Global Level? (roundtable)
I had to resist the temptation to list the whole agenda. I’ve been to two of the three previous P-POD conferences and always leave aglow with new knowledge and inspiration. Many of the speakers have decades of working to improve health and reduce suffering against great resistance from established practices and vested interests. It’s truly a weekend spent among heroes.
The public is welcome and the conference is quite affordable, with discounts for students and volunteers. I’m thrilled that it is in Raleigh again, so I don’t have any lodging expenses. The food is glorious: all plant-based and delectable. It’s a relief to be at a conference that accepts no commercial funding.
Will you be at P-POD? What questions do you want me to seek answers for? Please log in and post your comments below. Follow me on Twitter @cookforgood for some live tweeting!
