Health Choice is a non-profit organization focusing on awareness of health choices, education on nutrition, healing, and prevention of chronic illnesses for children and adults.
Our group was formed in response to a study published in Academic Pediatrics1 that represented 43% of children (32 million) in the US suffers from a chronic health condition. It is our belief that these rates will continue to increase if parents are not aware of the unhealthy choices in their lifestyle such as industrial processed foods, side effects of vaccine choices, and other environmental and lifestyle factors.
We want to help Americans understand how to have a healthy lifestyle, return to a state of wellness and promote sound choices for their children.
1Bethell, C.D., Kogan, M.D., Strickland, B.B., Schor, E.L., Robertson, J. & Newacheck, P.W. (2011). A national and state profile of leading health problems and health care quality for US children: Key insurance disparities and across-state variations. Academic Pediatrics, 2011 May-Jun;11(3 Suppl):S22-33. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21570014
Affiliates of Health Choice hold the following Statement of Principles
In recent human history, mankind has created and witnessed unprecedented changes in the balance between nature and technology. With the advent of the industrial revolution, technological progress has led to profound improvements in human health and quality of life. Important benefits such as improved sanitation and clean water have combined to reduce human mortality and extend the lifespan. As we recognize these benefits, we also know that technology works best when it serves human needs and worst when it imposes new risks on human development, creating a greater distance between nature and man. Paradoxically, as we become more reliant on technology, we risk losing sight of the proper balance between the benefits and risks of progress, especially in those technologies that intervene most directly in human health.
In order to restore that balance, we must pursue a future based on a more natural vision of human health, happiness and development, one that focuses on wellness rather than disease. The definition of wellness that guides the healing professions should not be the absence of symptoms in the presence of medical intervention, but rather the pursuit of health without the need for drugs. Realizing this future will require a more natural approach to wellness, especially early in life, but also throughout the lifespan. To restore the proper balance of nature and technology, Americans for Health Choice seeks to restore balance to our civil society.
We hold these Principles to be self-evident:
- That awareness of the new man-made epidemics is the first requirement for ending them;
- That when complexity clouds our understanding of health crises, our moral imperative is to first do no harm;
- That the best measure of a safe environment is the total health and happiness of an individual human being;
- That the individual’s right to choose or refuse medical interventions affecting them or their children must be defended;
- That true empowerment requires that the individual is accorded and assumes responsibility for their own health, happiness and nutrition;
- That full access to the healing professions and to truthful information is essential to liberty;
- That when injuries occur as a consequence of institutional failure, the victims deserve justice;
- That the cause of justice is best served when our governing institutions are free from commercial interests;
- That a compassionate society has a duty to provide injured and otherwise disabled citizens with an opportunity for happiness and to treat them with dignity.
MEMBERSHIP
The Health Choice affiliate network is a vetted coalition of talented and effective individuals and organizations that have formally signed on to a set of principles and purpose committed to create a movement for political/social change.
Members are vetted through an internal and private process. This exclusivity protects our members and initiatives. All requirements must be fulfilled for membership to be considered:
- Two sponsors and letters of recommendation from among existing Health Choice friends and affiliates that have worked with leadership of the organization
- Resumes from top 3 decision makers
- Information on incorporation and revenues (potential 990 request)
- Completion of member organization survey
- Phone interview by a membership committee member
- Signature to our purpose statement and principles & formal announcement to your following
- Non disclosure agreement for any non public strategy or documentation
- Agreement to send 1 proxy to 2 convening functions with no financial assistance from the
coalition
Organizations are required to list their officers and contact information on their web sites, and allow leadership of Health Choice into their private facebook groups.
Code of Ethics & Rules of Conduct
Health Choice has adopted this Code of Ethics to establish the highest principles, standards and responsibility of membership.
These Principles express the ethical and professional ideals members are expected to display in their coalition activities. As such, the Principles are aspirational and provide a source of guidance for members.
The Principles form the basis of what evolves into the coalition’s Rules of Conduct and Disciplinary Action. The Code of Ethics along with The Rules of Conduct together reflect the coalitions recognition of our member’s responsibilities to the public, colleagues and media.
Principle 1 – Honestly: Truth in personal representation.
Principle 2 – Integrity: Disclose conflicts of interest.
Principle 3 – Competence: Professional competency in commitments.
Principle 4 – Confidentiality: Protect the confidentiality of all members, documents and plans.
Principle 5 – Fairness: Be fair and reasonable in all relationships with the membership.
Principle 6 – Professionalism: Act in a manner that demonstrates exemplary professional conduct.
Principle 7 – Collegiality: The cooperative relationship of members.
Standards of Conduct & Disciplinary Actions
Health Choice has implemented these Rules of Conduct & Disciplinary Rules of action in order to protect the members, enhance the ability for success of the coalition and have a process to manage unhelpful and difficult circumstances. The Executive Leadership Team's Ethics Committee is the governing body to implement the process of dealing with violations in these rules of conduct.
Honesty
Honesty is a facet of moral character that connotes positive and virtuous attributes such as truthfulness and straightforwardness, along with the absence of lying, cheating and theft. Honesty also involves being trustworthy, loyal, fair, and sincere.
Should a member’s honesty be taken into question by another member. Health Choice reserves the right to interview all involved participants and will determine the fate of the member in question. Should the member be deemed unfit and in violation of our ethics and code of conduct, the membership will be revoked.
Integrity
Integrity demands honesty and candor which must not be subordinated to personal gain and advantage. Members are placed in positions of trust by other members, and the ultimate source of that trust is the member’s personal integrity.
Should a member’s integrity to the coalition be taken into question by another member. The Executive Leadership Team's Ethics Committee reserves the right to interview all involved participants and will determine the fate of the member in question. Should the member be deemed unfit and in violation of our ethics and code of conduct, the membership will be revoked.
Competence
Competence means attaining and maintaining an adequate level of performance when committing to a process and or projects, Competence also includes the wisdom to recognize the limitations of that knowledge and when consultation with other members is appropriate or referral to other members necessary.
Competency in critical to the success of any organization. Should a member be found significantly incompetent in a concerning manner, the Executive Leadership Team's Ethics Committee reserves the right to explore the situation and decide on a measurable action.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality means ensuring that information is accessible only to those authorized to have access. A relationship of trust and confidence with the coalition can only be built upon the understanding that the coalition’s information will remain confidential.
Should a member be found in violation of confidentiality of any kind including but not limited to; sharing documentation, sharing confidential meeting notes, adding individuals to private calls, video or audio taping without all member’s knowledge. If there is any suspicion of breach of confidentiality, the Executive Leadership Team's Ethics Committee reserves the right to interview and take action.
Fairness
Fairness requires impartiality and intellectual honesty. It involves a subordination of one’s own feelings, prejudices and desires so as to achieve a proper balance of conflicting interests. Fairness is treating others in the same fashion that you would want to be treated.
Members should be fair in their dealing with other members. Should it be found that members are not acting in fairness and good faith, the Executive Leadership Team's Ethics Committee has the right to review the situation and call for action.
Professionalism
Professionalism requires behaving with dignity and courtesy to fellow members, outside activists, media, and at other coalition related activities. Professionalism requires a rational and civil discourse based on facts, evidence and candor. Members must communicate professionally at all times to enhance and maintain the coalition’s public image and improve the coalition’s effectiveness.
Should a member’s professionalism be in question by another member personally, at a coalition event or at any other related activity. The Executive Leadership Team's Ethics Committee reserves the right to explore the situation and take appropriate action.
Collegiality
Collegiality is fundamental for an effective relationship between colleagues united in a common cause or purpose. Although disagreements and opinions exists, The coalition’s members should be generous in their public and private conversations of other members both individually and organizationally.
Should a member’s actions be considered lacking collegiality, the Executive Leadership Team's Ethics Committee reserves the right to interview all parties and material of interest in the ethics violation and determine appropriate action for the best interest of the coalition