Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy explains how the American Academy of Functional Health (“AAFH”) and the technology supporting the AAFH Practitioner Directory may use cookies and similar technologies when you visit or use this website (the “Directory”).

The Directory is operated by AAFH and may be technologically supported by iCare Digital Health Solutions LLC.

This Cookie Policy should be read together with our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

1. Our Approach to Cookies and Visitor Privacy

The Directory is designed to allow visitors to find healthcare practitioners without creating a user or patient account and without providing their name, email address, telephone number, medical records, or other directly identifying information to AAFH.

When you select a practitioner, the Directory may:

• display the practitioner's professional contact information;
• display the practitioner's clinic or practice information;
• provide a link to the practitioner's website;
• provide a link to a scheduling or contact page; or
• otherwise allow you to leave the Directory and communicate directly with that practitioner.

AAFH does not receive or retain information that you later choose to provide directly to an independent practitioner or through that practitioner's website, scheduling system, patient portal, or other third-party service.

The Directory does, however, use or permit certain cookies and similar technologies for:

• essential website operation;
• security;
• approximate geographic location;
• website functionality;
• analytics and performance measurement;
• advertising measurement;
• audience creation; and
• advertising and retargeting through platforms such as Google and Meta/Facebook.

We do not maintain visitor profiles containing names, emails, telephone numbers, medical records, or other directly identifying patient information based on ordinary use of the Directory.

2. What Is a Cookie?

A cookie is a small data file or identifier that a website or technology provider may place, store, or access on your computer, smartphone, tablet, browser, or other device.

Cookies can be used to:

• make a website function;
• maintain security;
• remember preferences;
• measure website performance;
• understand website usage;
• recognize browsers or devices;
• measure advertising effectiveness;
• identify whether a visitor arrived through an advertisement; or
• help display advertising to previous website visitors.

Cookies do not necessarily identify you by name.

However, cookie identifiers, IP addresses, device identifiers, and similar online identifiers may be considered “personal information,” “personal data,” or similar protected information under applicable privacy laws.

3. Similar Technologies

This Policy also applies to technologies that may perform functions similar to cookies, including:

• pixels;
• tracking pixels;
• tags;
• web beacons;
• scripts;
• local storage;
• session storage;
• browser identifiers;
• device identifiers;
• advertising identifiers;
• software development kit identifiers; and
• similar online technologies.

References to “cookies” in this Policy generally include these technologies where applicable.

4. Information Processed Through Cookies and Similar Technologies

Depending upon the technology used, cookies and similar technologies may process limited technical information such as:

• Internet Protocol (“IP”) address;
• approximate geographic location;
• browser type;
• browser version;
• operating system;
• device type;
• cookie or advertising identifier;
• referring source;
• pages visited;
• date and time of access;
• website interactions;
• advertisement interaction;
• campaign source;
• session information;
• technical performance information; and
• security signals.

The Directory is not designed to use cookies to collect:

• medical records;
• laboratory reports;
• detailed medical histories;
• prescription records;
• Social Security numbers;
• insurance records; or
• financial account information.

5. Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly necessary cookies and technologies are used for essential website functionality and security.

These technologies may support:

• basic website operation;
• traffic routing;
• load balancing;
• cybersecurity;
• fraud and abuse prevention;
• protection against malicious traffic;
• session management;
• website availability;
• privacy or cookie preference storage; and
• other essential technical functions.

These technologies may be used even when a visitor declines optional cookies because they are necessary for the website to operate or remain secure.

Blocking strictly necessary cookies through your browser may cause portions of the Directory to stop functioning correctly.

6. Location and Functionality Technologies

One purpose of the Directory is to help visitors locate practitioners near them.

The Directory may process a visitor's IP address or related technical information to estimate an approximate geographic location.

This may include an approximate:

• country;
• state;
• province;
• region;
• city;
• postal area; or
• general geographic area.

This approximate location may be used to determine which practitioner listings are closest or most geographically relevant.

The Directory does not require visitors to provide their name, email address, telephone number, or medical information in order to perform this location-based search.

Approximate IP-based location may be inaccurate.

We do not intend to use approximate-location information to:

• track your physical movements;
• maintain a location history about you;
• identify you as a particular patient;
• provide practitioners with your personal location history; or
• sell your location to data brokers.

7. Analytics and Performance Cookies

We may use analytics and performance technologies to understand generally how visitors use the Directory and whether the website is functioning properly.

These technologies may help us understand information such as:

• number of visitors;
• pages viewed;
• traffic sources;
• devices and browsers used;
• approximate geographic regions;
• general navigation patterns;
• website errors;
• page-loading performance; and
• aggregate website activity.

This information may be used to:

• improve the Directory;
• identify technical problems;
• understand which advertising campaigns produce website visits;
• improve website performance; and
• evaluate website usage.

Analytics technologies may be provided by third-party service providers.

8. Advertising and Retargeting Cookies

AAFH may use advertising, measurement, and retargeting technologies provided by third-party advertising platforms, including companies such as Google and Meta/Facebook.

These technologies may be used to:

• measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns;
• determine whether a visitor reached the Directory through an advertisement;
• measure conversions or website visits;
• create advertising audiences;
• create audiences of previous website visitors;
• exclude certain audiences from advertising;
• optimize advertising campaigns; and
• display advertising to people who previously visited the Directory.

Advertising technologies may process information such as:

• cookie identifiers;
• advertising identifiers;
• IP address;
• approximate location;
• browser information;
• device information;
• referring source;
• pages visited;
• campaign information; and
• interactions with the website.

This information may allow an advertising platform to recognize a browser or device even though AAFH does not know the visitor's name, email address, or telephone number.

9. Google Advertising Technologies

The Directory may use Google technologies for advertising, analytics, campaign measurement, audience creation, or retargeting.

Depending upon the services enabled, Google may use cookies or similar technologies to:

• measure advertisement performance;
• determine that a visitor arrived from a Google advertisement;
• analyze website visits;
• create advertising audiences;
• provide remarketing or retargeting functionality; or
• optimize advertising campaigns.

Information processed by Google may be subject to Google's own privacy practices and account settings.

Use of Google technologies does not mean that AAFH receives a visitor's Google account identity.

10. Meta/Facebook Advertising Technologies

The Directory may use technologies provided by Meta Platforms, including the Meta Pixel or similar advertising and measurement technologies.

These technologies may allow Meta to receive limited information about website visits and interactions for purposes such as:

• advertising attribution;
• campaign measurement;
• conversion measurement;
• advertising optimization;
• audience creation; and
• retargeting previous website visitors.

Depending upon how these technologies are configured, Meta may process information such as:

• IP address;
• browser or device information;
• cookie identifiers;
• pages visited;
• referring information;
• advertising interactions; and
• other technical event information.

Information processed by Meta is subject to Meta's own privacy practices and account controls.

AAFH does not receive a visitor's Facebook or Instagram password or private account information through use of the Meta Pixel.

11. Health-Related Directory Activity

Because the Directory relates to healthcare practitioners, visitors may browse or search for practitioners based on specialties, services, or areas of clinical interest.

A visitor's selection of a practitioner, specialty, or area of interest does not establish that the visitor has a particular diagnosis, disease, symptom, or medical condition.

AAFH does not use ordinary Directory searches to create patient medical records.

We do not intentionally configure advertising technologies to transmit:

• medical records;
• laboratory results;
• prescription information;
• detailed medical histories;
• insurance information; or
• other detailed clinical records

to advertising platforms.

Where reasonably practicable, we also seek to avoid transmitting detailed health-condition search terms or similarly sensitive search criteria to advertising platforms for targeted advertising purposes.

12. Retargeting Does Not Mean We Know Your Identity

Retargeting technology typically works through online identifiers associated with a browser, device, advertising platform, or cookie.

AAFH may therefore be able to advertise to a group of previous Directory visitors without knowing the individual visitor's:

• name;
• email address;
• telephone number;
• medical history; or
• patient identity.

Third-party advertising platforms may be able to associate their own identifiers with accounts or devices according to their own privacy practices.

AAFH does not receive those platforms' full internal account profiles merely because it uses advertising or retargeting services.

13. First-Party and Third-Party Cookies

Cookies may be either first-party or third-party.

First-Party Cookies

First-party cookies are associated with the Directory's website and may be used for:

• website functionality;
• security;
• privacy preferences;
• location functionality; or
• technical operation.

Third-Party Cookies and Technologies

Third-party technologies may be provided by companies supporting:

• advertising;
• retargeting;
• analytics;
• website hosting;
• cybersecurity;
• content delivery;
• mapping;
• approximate geolocation;
• performance monitoring; or
• other website functionality.

Third-party providers may process information according to their own privacy policies, terms, and legal obligations.

14. Session and Persistent Cookies

Cookies may also be categorized by how long they remain available.

Session Cookies

Session cookies generally expire when the browser session ends.

They may support:

• website navigation;
• temporary functionality;
• security; or
• temporary preferences.

Persistent Cookies

Persistent cookies may remain on a device for a defined period after the browser session ends.

They may be used for:

• remembering privacy preferences;
• analytics;
• advertising measurement;
• audience creation;
• retargeting;
• fraud prevention; or
• other permitted purposes.

The duration of persistent cookies varies depending upon the technology and provider.

15. No Sale of Directly Identifying Visitor Information

AAFH does not sell visitor names, email addresses, telephone numbers, medical records, or other directly identifying patient information collected through ordinary Directory use because the Directory is not designed to collect such information from visitors.

AAFH does not maintain lists identifying individual people who searched for particular practitioners.

However, advertising platforms may process cookies, IP addresses, device identifiers, or similar technical information for advertising measurement and retargeting as described in this Policy.

Under certain privacy laws, some advertising-related disclosures or uses may legally be defined as “sharing,” “targeted advertising,” or another regulated form of processing even where no monetary sale occurs.

Where applicable law requires an opt-out or other privacy control, we will provide or honor such controls as required.

16. Cookie Consent and Preference Controls

Depending upon your location and applicable law, the Directory may provide a cookie banner or privacy-preference tool.

Available options may include:

• Accept All Cookies;
• Reject Non-Essential Cookies;
• Manage Preferences; or
• choices for individual cookie categories.

Where legally required, optional analytics or advertising technologies may be subject to consent or opt-out controls.

Strictly necessary cookies may remain active because they are required for website operation and security.

17. Advertising Cookie Choices

If advertising and retargeting technologies are enabled, visitors may be able to decline or restrict them through:

• the Directory's cookie-preference tool;
• browser settings;
• Google advertising preferences;
• Meta/Facebook advertising preferences;
• operating-system privacy settings; or
• legally recognized privacy preference signals.

Disabling advertising cookies may reduce personalized or retargeted advertising but generally should not prevent use of the basic practitioner Directory.

18. Browser Controls

Most browsers allow users to:

• view stored cookies;
• delete cookies;
• block cookies;
• block third-party cookies;
• clear website data;
• restrict individual websites;
• clear cookies automatically when the browser closes; or
• use private or incognito browsing modes.

Browser settings vary by provider.

Blocking all cookies may interfere with website functionality.

19. Global Privacy Control and Similar Signals

Certain browsers and browser extensions transmit privacy preference signals such as Global Privacy Control (“GPC”).

Where applicable law requires us to recognize a legally valid opt-out preference signal, we will process the signal as required.

A privacy preference signal may affect advertising, sharing, or other optional processing where applicable.

20. Do Not Track

Some browsers transmit “Do Not Track” signals.

There is not currently one universally applied standard governing all Do Not Track signals.

Where applicable law requires recognition of a particular browser-based privacy preference, we will address that preference as required.

21. U.S. Visitors

The Directory is intended primarily for users throughout the United States and Canada but may also be accessed from other countries.

Privacy laws vary among U.S. states.

Depending upon applicable law, residents of certain states may have rights relating to:

• targeted advertising;
• sale or sharing of personal information;
• profiling;
• sensitive information;
• access;
• deletion;
• correction; or
• recognized opt-out preference signals.

AAFH will provide applicable privacy rights where legally required.

Additional information is available in our Privacy Policy.

22. California Visitors

California privacy law may treat cookies, IP addresses, online identifiers, browsing activity, and certain advertising disclosures as personal information.

Certain uses of third-party advertising technologies may be considered “sharing” for cross-context behavioral advertising under California law even where no money is exchanged.

Where applicable law requires it, eligible California visitors may be provided with the ability to opt out of such sharing through a Your Privacy Choices, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, cookie-preference, or similar mechanism.

We will also process legally recognized opt-out preference signals where required.

23. Canadian Visitors

The Directory may be accessed by visitors throughout Canada and may contain practitioners located in Canadian provinces and territories.

Cookies and similar technologies may be subject to Canadian federal or provincial privacy requirements depending upon the circumstances.

AAFH uses cookies for the purposes described in this Policy, including website operation, approximate location, analytics, advertising measurement, and retargeting.

Where applicable Canadian law requires consent or another privacy mechanism for a particular technology, we will seek to provide the required choice.

Canadian visitors may also use available cookie-preference tools or browser controls to manage optional technologies.

24. Visitors From Other Countries

The Directory may also be accessible from countries outside the United States and Canada.

Cookie, advertising, privacy, and electronic communications laws differ internationally.

Where applicable law requires consent before the use of non-essential cookies or advertising technologies, we intend to use appropriate consent controls.

Strictly necessary technologies may remain active where permitted by law.

25. Leaving the Directory

The Directory may display the contact information of a practitioner or link to the practitioner's:

• website;
• scheduling system;
• clinic website;
• patient portal;
• telehealth platform;
• social-media account; or
• other external service.

When you leave the Directory, the external website may use its own cookies, pixels, analytics, or advertising technologies.

Those technologies are governed by that independent website's policies, not this Cookie Policy.

AAFH and iCare Digital Health Solutions LLC do not control the cookies or tracking technologies used by independent practitioner websites.

26. Practitioner Websites

Listed practitioners operate independently.

A practitioner may use:

• Google Analytics;
• Meta Pixel;
• Google Ads;
• advertising cookies;
• scheduling technologies;
• patient portals;
• CRM systems;
• payment systems; or
• other third-party technologies

on their own website.

AAFH and iCare Digital Health Solutions LLC are not responsible for how an independent practitioner or clinic uses cookies, advertising technologies, analytics, or personal information after a visitor leaves the Directory.

27. Service Providers

AAFH may rely on third-party service providers for operation of the Directory.

These may include providers supporting:

• hosting;
• cloud infrastructure;
• databases;
• cybersecurity;
• content delivery;
• IP-based geolocation;
• analytics;
• advertising;
• retargeting;
• website monitoring;
• performance;
• mapping; or
• other technical services.

These providers may process limited technical information necessary to provide their services.

28. Cookie Retention

Cookie retention varies according to the technology being used.

Cookies may remain available:

• only during a browser session;
• for several hours;
• for several days;
• for several months; or
• for another period established by the applicable technology provider.

Third-party advertising and analytics providers establish their own cookie and identifier retention periods.

Users may delete stored cookies through browser settings at any time.

29. Server and Security Logs

Even when cookies are deleted, limited technical server or security information may remain for reasonable operational periods.

Such information may be maintained for:

• cybersecurity;
• fraud prevention;
• abuse detection;
• troubleshooting;
• infrastructure monitoring;
• legal compliance;
• incident investigation; or
• system reliability.

AAFH does not use such logs to create ordinary patient profiles based upon Directory activity.

30. Children's Privacy

The Directory is intended primarily for adults.

We do not intentionally use Directory cookies to create targeted advertising profiles about children.

Parents or guardians seeking practitioners for a child should generally conduct searches on the child's behalf.

Additional information is available in our Privacy Policy.

31. Current Cookie Technologies

The particular cookies, pixels, and technologies used by the Directory may change over time as website functionality, hosting, analytics, security, or advertising systems change.

The Directory may currently or in the future use technologies from providers such as:

• Google;
• Meta/Facebook;
• website hosting providers;
• cloud service providers;
• security providers;
• geolocation providers; or
• analytics providers.

Where a cookie-preference interface is available, it may provide additional details regarding currently active technologies, including their:

• name;
• provider;
• purpose;
• category; and
• duration.

This Policy will be updated if our cookie or advertising practices materially change.

32. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy periodically to reflect changes in:

• website technology;
• Directory functionality;
• advertising practices;
• analytics;
• service providers;
• privacy practices;
• applicable laws; or
• regulatory guidance.

The “Last Updated” date at the top of the Policy identifies the most recent revision.

Material changes will be communicated where required by applicable law.

33. Contact Us

Questions concerning this Cookie Policy, the Directory's use of cookies and similar technologies, advertising or retargeting technologies, or available privacy choices may be directed to:

American Academy of Functional Health

Email: Operations@TheAAFH.org

Questions concerning cookies, pixels, analytics, or tracking technologies used on an independent practitioner's website or another third-party service should be directed to that practitioner, website operator, or service provider.

34. Relationship to Other Policies

This Cookie Policy should be read together with our:

• Privacy Policy; and
• Terms of Use.

Together, these policies explain how the Directory operates, how limited technical information may be processed, how advertising and retargeting technologies may be used, and the responsibilities of AAFH, supporting technology providers, practitioners, and visitors.