The World Health Organization Traditional Medicine Strategy: Enhancing Healthcare Access, Health Equity, and Health Choices Worldwide
2023; Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.; Volume: 29; Issue: 11 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1089/jicm.2023.29124.editorial
ISSN2768-3613
Autores Tópico(s)Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies
ResumoJournal of Integrative and Complementary MedicineVol. 29, No. 11 EditorialFree AccessThe World Health Organization Traditional Medicine Strategy: Enhancing Healthcare Access, Health Equity, and Health Choices WorldwideHolger CramerHolger CramerAddress correspondence to: Holger Cramer, PhD, Institute of General Practice and Interprofessional Care, University Hospital Tübingen, Osianderstraße 5, Tübingen 72076, Germany E-mail Address: [email protected]Institute of General Practice and Interprofessional Care, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.Robert Bosch Center for Integrative Medicine and Health, Bosch Health Campus, Stuttgart, Germany.Search for more papers by this authorPublished Online:9 Nov 2023https://doi.org/10.1089/jicm.2023.29124.editorialAboutSectionsPDF/EPUB Permissions & CitationsPermissionsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsAdd to favorites Back To Publication ShareShare onFacebookXLinked InRedditEmail Ijust returned from the 2nd World Congress for Integrative Medicine and Health, which was held as a joint congress of our partner organization International Society for Traditional, Complementary & Integrative Medicine Research together with the European Society of Integrative Medicine and the Foundation for Research on Integrative Oncological Therapies at the unique Angelicum, a Roman active Pontifical University founded in the 13th century by Thomas Aquinas. And "world" is by no means an exaggeration: ∼850 participants from 51 countries registered for the congress—I spoke with colleagues from Iceland, Qatar, and South Africa to name a few, during the days in Rome, an exciting melting pot of international experience, knowledge, and creativity.Numerous high-profile representatives from integrative health clinical practice, research, and politics enriched the congress with lectures and workshops—but at least I found the presence of the World Health Organization (WHO) most remarkable. Of course, the WHO is somehow always a topic when it comes to health, but I have rarely experienced it as present at one of our conferences as in Rome.In addition to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who gave a very appreciative and inspiring video opening speech, Prof Kim Sungchol, Director of the WHO Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine Unit was another WHO representative.1 And I was very impressed that Prof. Kim Sungchol did not just stay for his lecture Perspective from WHO Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine Unit, but attended the whole congress. This illustrates how important traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine has become also for health policy actors and for public health care.Whereby, this development is actually not new: as early as the 1970s, the WHO initiated its Traditional Medicine Strategy in recognition of the importance of traditional medicine in various cultures worldwide. The initiative aimed to integrate traditional medicine into the global health care conversation.The reasons for this initiative were many: traditional medicine is deeply rooted in the cultural and historical practices of many communities around the world. It reflects the wisdom and knowledge that has been passed down through generations. Preserving and respecting these cultural traditions are critical to maintaining the identity and heritage of communities. But even beyond these ideals, the preservation of traditional medicine seems downright necessary: in many regions, traditional medicine is the first or only means of health care for a large portion of the population. It is often more accessible and affordable than biomedical health care facilities, making it an important source of health care for underserved and rural communities. Traditional medicine can thus play a role in addressing public health challenges, especially in regions with limited health infrastructure.2Biodiversity conservation also plays a role: traditional medicine often relies on medicinal plants and natural remedies. The sustainable use of these resources is crucial for biodiversity conservation and environmental protection. By promoting traditional medicine, there is an incentive to protect medicinal plant species and ecosystems.2The Traditional Medicine Strategy was developed through collaborative efforts within WHO and with input from member countries. It was initiated with the goal of documenting and understanding traditional medicine practices, as well as exploring ways to integrate them into modern health care systems. WHO worked closely with member states to gather information about traditional healing methods and medicinal plants, fostering international cooperation in the field. The result of this initiative in the 1970s was the establishment of a foundation for future efforts in the integration of traditional medicine into modern health care systems. It marked the beginning of WHO's commitment to recognizing and respecting the role of traditional medicine in global health.A key milestone was the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2002–2005. This strategy focused on promoting the safe and effective use of traditional medicine. It led to the development of regulatory guidelines in ∼100 countries to ensure compliance with international standards. Capacity-building programs and workshops empowered health care providers and traditional healers. Integration of traditional medicine into national health care systems became a priority.2,3The following WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy for 2014–2023 helped health care leaders develop solutions that contributed to a broader vision of improved health and patient autonomy. This strategy had two key goals: supporting Member States in harnessing the potential contribution of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) to health, wellness, and person-centered health care, and promoting the safe and effective use of T&CM through the regulation of products, practices, and practitioners.2These goals were achieved through the implementation of three strategic objectives: (1) building the knowledge base and formulating national policies; (2) strengthening safety, quality, and effectiveness through regulation; and (3) promoting universal health coverage by integrating T&CM services and self-health care into national health systems.2WHO's traditional medicine goals are surprisingly clear. The Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014–2023 states: "As the uptake of T&CM increases, there is a need for its closer integration into health systems. Policy makers and consumers should consider how T&CM may improve patient experience and population health. Important questions of access as well as population and public health issues must be addressed."2 At the first Traditional Medicine Global Summit held by the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar, India, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged "all countries to commit to examining how best to integrate traditional and complementary medicine into their national health systems."3WHO describes traditional medicine as "the sum total of the knowledge, skill, and practices based on the theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to different cultures, whether explicable or not, used in the maintenance of health as well as in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness."4 Many complementary and integrative medicine approaches, such as yoga, acupuncture, mindfulness, or herbal medicine, thus derive directly from traditional medicine, and the fact that WHO is actively promoting their integration into health systems worldwide is a signal whose political appeal can hardly be overestimated. Of course, this integration is only possible on a solid evidence base,3 and our collective efforts are needed to advance this base.With the WHO calling for closer T&CM integration into national health systems, there is an opportunity to enhance patient experiences, population health, and health care accessibility. As we heed WHO's call, it is crucial to emphasize the necessity of a robust evidence base to underpin these efforts. Collaboratively, we can continue to shape a health care landscape that addresses the diverse health care needs of individuals and communities globally, grounded in sound scientific principles.References1. 2nd World Congress for Integrative Medicine and Health. Program. Available from: https://icimcongress.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/WCIM&H_program_2023.pdf [Last accessed: October 10, 2023]. Google Scholar2. World Health Organization. WHO traditional medicine strategy: 2014–2023. Available from: https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/92455/9789241506090_eng.pdf?sequence=1 [Last accessed: October 10, 2023]. Google Scholar3. Burki T. WHO's new vision for traditional medicine. Lancet 2023;402(10404):763–764. Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar4. World Health Organization. Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine. Available from: http://www.who.int/medicines/areas/traditional/definitions/en/ [Last accessed: October 10, 2023]. Google ScholarFiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 29Issue 11Nov 2023 InformationCopyright 2023, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishersTo cite this article:Holger Cramer.The World Health Organization Traditional Medicine Strategy: Enhancing Healthcare Access, Health Equity, and Health Choices Worldwide.Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine.Nov 2023.689-690.http://doi.org/10.1089/jicm.2023.29124.editorialPublished in Volume: 29 Issue 11: November 9, 2023Online Ahead of Print:October 30, 2023PDF download
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