In a conversation with Mark Alyn at SupplySide West, Karen Howard, CEO and Executive Director of Organic & Natural Health Association, shares the challenges facing the supplement industry and the role of the media and government legislation in determining what information is made available and how that shapes public perception. Are most people getting all of the nutrients they need from food? Do doctors counsel their patients on supplementation, and have they been educated themselves?

Some concerns and possible solutions currently being addressed by Karen and her organization include:

Issue One: Going solo, especially in a fractured industry, will not often lead to a successful outcome for all parties.

Solution: Find a big issue that requires a novel solution created by like-minded people and organizations.

Issue Two: We don’t have the legislative champions we used to have.

Solution: Change how we become engaged in federal and state elections.

Issue Three: Public Perception of the Dietary Supplement Industry Skews with the News

Solution: Collaborate and define common core messaging for public outreach on the importance of supplementation.

Karen Howard, CEO and Executive Director of Organic & Natural Health Association is a visionary and results-focused leader who has spent more than 30 years working with Congress, state legislatures and healthcare organizations to develop innovative healthcare policy and programs. She has held a variety of executive positions, including serving as professional staff for a Congressional committee, and has policy expertise in the diverse areas of integrative and complementary medicine, managed care, healthcare technology and mental health. An advocate at heart, she has worked to strategically advance the mission and vision of organizations through effective advocacy and strong collaboration. Prior to Organic & Natural Health, Howard served as executive director for both the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) and the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Schools. During her nearly 10-year tenure at AANP, she built a sustainable infrastructure, significantly improved financial performance, established a strong federal presence and supported multiple state association advocacy efforts for licensure. Also during this time, the naturopathic medicine profession established itself as a key component of comprehensive healthcare for the future. www.organicandnatural.org