Health and health care
Natural Humanists have a strong belief in people’s natural immunity – a subject about which there is a great deal of scientific knowledge and understanding. Natural immunity can be maintained throughout a person’s life, and indeed can often be improved.
In addition, Natural Humanists believe that there are more things in heaven and earth than science can currently comprehend. Treatment methods involving energy pathways, alternative medicines, meditation and similar techniques have been shown to be beneficial for human well-being, and should therefore be used more often to promote health.
Natural Humanism therefore supports holistic health care, in which mainstream medicine is combined with natural medicine. Natural Humanism advocates that alternative and natural treatment methods be among those provided by basic health insurance.
Natural Humanists are cautious about the use and consumption of modern pharmaceuticals. The use of modern prophylactic medical technologies such as vaccines is viewed with similar caution. Autonomy and informed consent are essential, and each virus and proposed vaccine should be considered separately. Treatment methods must allow for an up-to-date and accurate cost-benefit analysis to be undertaken at any time.
It should always be a matter of personal choice whether or not to take medication. This choice may also change during the life of the individual concerned. Stigmatizing populations as a result of their choices should be out of the question. Health campaigns should be organised with respect for the individual and without personal denigration (campaigns against smoking or obesity can serve as examples).
Health care should encourage simple and inexpensive (preventative) treatment methods over more major medical interventions. Healthy nutrition, encouraging people to take sufficient exercise and techniques to reduce stress are key examples of these types of intervention.
To the greatest degree possible, health care practices should limit the use of medicines ingested by humans and animals. Excessive use can have significant consequences, both for humans and for the environment. Pharmaceuticals can enter the food chains of humans and animals and have damaging effects.
Natural Humanism attaches great importance to primary care and to having direct contact between doctor and patient. It recommends policies that incentivise every citizen having a doctor. Doctors should be given sufficient freedom to exercise clinical judgement. Encouraging doctors to prescribe certain medications by offering monetary or other incentives should be prohibited.