I met Kinari Webb, MD at a friend’s home in 2010. She talked about her work in Sukadana, West Kalimantan, Borneo (I had to look it up on a map). Her vision that the health of the people and the health of the rainforest were interconnected resonated with me. I continue to advocate for this non-profit’s community model based on “radical listening”. 

Here are my reasons:

• This model works: 10-year results from the pilot with ASRI supported Kinari’s hypothesis that it was possible to save rainforest and save lives simultaneously (https://www.pnas.org/doi/epdf/10.1073/pnas.2009240117)

• This model has been scaled: new sites in Madagascar and Brazil support using radical listening to identify problems and potential solutions, combined with evaluation of impact are demonstrating positive results.

• This model can be taught: “The Art of Radical Listening” by Patricia Plude, D. Min. with Kinari Webb, M.D. published recently breaks down the components of radical listening and links to online workshops.

I am proud to remain involved with Health In Harmony. It is probably the most important work in my careers in clinical medicine and drug development. And – it gives me HOPE. 

I hope you will consider joining me in improving planetary health by supporting Health In Harmony.