Aly Cohen, MD, FACR

Environmental Toxins and Autoimmune Disease

This talk connects the dots between environmental toxins and autoimmune disease.

This talk connects the dots between everyday exposures to toxic chemicals and their effects on mental health conditions.

Integrative Medicine Approaches to Scleroderma

...I am honored to create and manage the environmental medicine and integrative rheumatology curricula for this wonderful institution!

...speaking on environmental health topics including immune health effects...and practical, real-world solutions to reduce toxic chemical burden!

Dr. Aly Cohen will discuss evidence-based data on everyday chemicals that we put in, on, and around our bodies and how they contribute to human health conditions, specifically diseases of the immune system. She will discuss dietary approaches to reduce toxicity, clean drinking water, beneficial supplements, indoor & outdoor air quality, sleep hygiene, stress management, and safe use of cellular technology. Dr. Cohen will provide practical tips and resources to enable and empower the audience in… Show more

Dr. Aly Cohen will discuss evidence-based data on everyday chemicals that we put in, on, and around our bodies and how they contribute to human health conditions, specifically diseases of the immune system. She will discuss dietary approaches to reduce toxicity, clean drinking water, beneficial supplements, indoor & outdoor air quality, sleep hygiene, stress management, and safe use of cellular technology. Dr. Cohen will provide practical tips and resources to enable and empower the audience in ways to limit environmental exposures in order to prevent disease, better manage current conditions, and improve overall well-being!

Learning Objectives:
Discuss the epidemiology of autoimmune disease
Apply evidence-based strategies for patient management of autoimmune disorders
Discuss the plethora of toxics in the human environment
Discuss cellular mechanisms for a variety of toxics on immune system function
Explain both conventional and integrative/functional approaches to reducing toxic exposures
Apply evidence-based strategies for patient management of autoimmune disorders Show less

This is the third year receiving this award, as voted upon by my medical colleagues.

Voted Top Doc NJ by my medical colleagues

Integrative Healthcare Symposium 2022 speaker

I was honored and humbled to present the Integrative Healthcare Symposium, 2022 Leadership Award to Dr. Andrew Weil, my mentor, colleague, and friend.

Drinking Water

Following this discussion with Linda Birnbaum PhD, Dr. Aly Cohen, board certified rheumatologist and integrative medicine specialist, founder of Integrative Rheumatology Associates, and co-Editor of the textbook, ’Integrative Environmental Medicine’ (OUP), presented the work she has done on EDC's linked to inflammation. New research from CDC surveillance of COVID-19 infection shows disproportionate hospitalization and death among patients with history of co-morbid health conditions. Dr. Cohen… Show more

Following this discussion with Linda Birnbaum PhD, Dr. Aly Cohen, board certified rheumatologist and integrative medicine specialist, founder of Integrative Rheumatology Associates, and co-Editor of the textbook, ’Integrative Environmental Medicine’ (OUP), presented the work she has done on EDC's linked to inflammation. New research from CDC surveillance of COVID-19 infection shows disproportionate hospitalization and death among patients with history of co-morbid health conditions. Dr. Cohen discussed underlying environmental factors, including EDCs that contribute to the inflammatory response in patients with co-morbidities and those that are severely ill. She also discussed medications and nutrients being studied as possible therapeutics. She shared evidence-based recommendations regarding diet, medication use, smoking cessation, chemicals exposure, supplement use, and other lifestyle interventions that may impact morbidity and mortality from COVID-19.
Link to webinar: https://www.healthandenvironment.org/webinars/96526
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https://youtu.be/HSCeP0hyuTI

There are over 90,000 commercial and industrial chemicals currently registered and available for use in the United States, the majority of which have never been tested in humans for safety or toxicity. Only 5 chemicals have been taken off out the U.S. market since 1976, under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). The food industry alone uses over 3,000 different chemicals and billions of pounds annually of chemicals that have been grandfathered in as… Show more

https://youtu.be/HSCeP0hyuTI

There are over 90,000 commercial and industrial chemicals currently registered and available for use in the United States, the majority of which have never been tested in humans for safety or toxicity. Only 5 chemicals have been taken off out the U.S. market since 1976, under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). The food industry alone uses over 3,000 different chemicals and billions of pounds annually of chemicals that have been grandfathered in as 'safe', under GRAS regulations. Water regulations, dating back to the 1970's are still in effect, regulating just 91 chemicals in over 160,000 water treatment plants across the U.S.. The textile industry in the U.S. and globally, uses millions of pounds of toxic chemicals annually. Home furnishings, air quality, cellular technology all have a "story" regarding regulation, testing, risk of harm, and safe use and alternatives.
Dr Cohen's research has revealed WHY adolescents and teens are THE MOST IMPORTANT demographic for environmental health information...they are developing at an ENORMOUS rate, they use the most personal care products daily than any other demographic, they are tech savvy and understand how to use helpful apps and websites efficiently, they are "body aware", they will likely disseminate this info to their parents and siblings, they will possibly have kids one day which will help reduce chemical and radiation exposure during pregnancy, they will soon be able to vote and help shape the politics around environmental policy and regulation, and they can help move the consumer product market in a safer direction, just through purchasing power. Chemical and radiation information is relevant for our time; it is a growing topic of awareness, and concern....but with adolescents and teens, there is opportunity to make a real difference at a young age, that will affect their health for the rest of their lives!
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"Integrative/Functional Medicine Approaches to Rheumatic Disease"

...chosen by physician colleagues in NJ

Presented to the internal medicine department on the safe, appropriate, evidence-based approaches to prevent and manage a variety of rheumatologic disorders, including autoimmune disease, crystal arthropathy, and osteoarthritis.

Speaking on the environmental risks and costs of climate change...what clinicians and their patients need to know! (safe drinking water, tick-born illness, respiratory disease e.g.)

Thrilled to present at TEDxCapeMay in October, on the critical importance of innovating high school health and science education...to include environmental health information, resources, and tools!
http://www.tedxcapemay.com/

Honored to record an episode of the Humankind podcast, distributed by NPR and PRX and produced in association with WGBH/Boston, with executive producer, David Freudberg....with guest, Dr. Andrew Weil

A wonderful conference bringing together researchers from across to U.S. to discuss the biologic effects of chemicals on human and wildlife.

http://thesmarthuman.com/aly-cohen-md-founder-of-the-smart-human-presents-at-the-2018-one-health-one-planet-symposium/

https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/one-health-one-planet?utm_source=One+Health+One+Planet&utm_campaign=62ef9c6b99-One_Health_One_Planet3_21_2017_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_70791b12ef-62ef9c6b99-94956585

Selected by physician colleagues in NJ.

Presenter - "Educating the Next Generation: Integrating Environmental Health into U.S. High School Curriculum"....data from multiple high school pilot projects showing the importance of educating teens and incorporating environmental health information into high school curriculum.
Link to conference:
https://www.grc.org/environmental-endocrine-disruptors-conference/2018/

Lecture: "Nutritional Approaches to Mitigating Harmful Environmental Exposures"

SACIM 2018 - Cape Town, South Africa
I will be giving two lectures:
-"Integrative Approaches to Rheumatological Disorders"
-"Proactive Approaches to Reduce Environmental Exposures: Avoidance, Lifestyle Changes, and Practical Resources"

Lecture: "Environmental Chemical Exposure: Endocrine System Effects and Clinical Health Implications"

APA Symposium 2018 - "The Impact of Environmental Toxicants on Neurodevelopment and Behavior: From Awareness Towards Prevention and Greater Health Equity", Chicago IL.

Spoke to members and graduates, "Proactive Approaches to Reduce Environmental Exposures: Avoidance, Lifestyle Changes, and Practical Resources"

Selected/voted on by medical colleagues

...proud to have been a speaker at the 2017 IHS conference in NYC:
"Proactive Approaches to Reducing Environmental Exposures: Avoidance, Lifestyle Changes, and Practical Resources"

Criteria based on years in business, service to the community, and overall patient satisfactory ratings!

3rd Annual Cancer Schmancer Health Summit held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, California....featuring physicians and other healthcare practitioners speaking on topics of cancer prevention and wellness!

The Burton L. Eichler Award is the firm’s way of honoring his legacy of leadership in the health care industry and his spirit of giving to the community.
-Brach/Eichler LLC

Voted "Top Doc NJ 2016" for Rheumatology, patient care and management, by physician colleagues in New Jersey

Honored for environmental health training, curriculum and community outreach.

March 2015 Inspirational Woman - Women's Voices for the Earth

http://www.womensvoices.org/about/inspirational-women/dr-aly-cohen/

Honored to have been chosen to present a talk on environmental chemicals in schools and their health implications...at NAEYC's 2014 National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development in Minneapolis, Minnesota in June, 2014.

Fellows will have a strong commitment to practicing integrative rheumatology, and will serve as a community and academic center resource for physicians, residents, and fellows. The long-term goal is for these physicians to become mentors and instructors in the training of future rheumatology fellows, and to serve as advisors to the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine.

The scholarships are made possible by the Alana S. Jones & Colburn A. Jones/David Lovell & Lura Lovell Endowed Chair… Show more

Fellows will have a strong commitment to practicing integrative rheumatology, and will serve as a community and academic center resource for physicians, residents, and fellows. The long-term goal is for these physicians to become mentors and instructors in the training of future rheumatology fellows, and to serve as advisors to the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine.

The scholarships are made possible by the Alana S. Jones & Colburn A. Jones/David Lovell & Lura Lovell Endowed Chair in Integrative Rheumatology, which is currently held by Dr. Andrew Weil. Show less

Medical contributor/lecturer-
Prevention and management of disease from both western and integrative medicine perspectives...arthritis, autoimmune disease, chronic pain and women's health.

I was honored and humbled to present the 2022 Leadership Award from Integrative Healthcare Symposium to Dr. Andrew Weil, my mentor, colleague and friend.

U.S. Drinking Water