Traditional Medicine and Public Health: Preparing for System-Wide Change
1
National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Southern Cross University, Lismore, Australia
2
Complementary Medicine – Evidence, Research and Policy Special Interest Group, Public Health Association of Australia, Canberra, Australia
3
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
4
Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Health Coalition, Geneva, Switzerland
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1970
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
In May 2025, the World Health Assembly ratified the World Health Organization’s Global Traditional Medicine Strategy (2025–2034), envisioning “a world in which there is universal, safe, effective and people-centred traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM) for the health and well-being of all.” The strategy outlines four
OBJECTIVES:
(1) strengthen the evidence base for TCIM, (2) support safe and effective TCIM through regulatory mechanisms, (3) integrate TCIM into health systems, and (4) optimize cross-sector value and empower communities. Despite global commitment, the public health community has limited engagement with TCIM—an area poised to transform health systems.
METHODS:
This session will draw on four TCIM experts to inform public health researchers and practitioners about the landscape underpinning these objectives. Professor Amie Steel will present the WHO TM Research Roadmap; Professor Ossy Kasilo will discuss regulatory mechanisms for TCIM products and practitioners in Africa; Dr Daniel Gallego-Perez will outline TCIM integration into health systems in the Americas; and Professor Jon Wardle will share insights into cross-sectoral engagement. A panel discussion will follow to explore these concepts further.
RESULTS:
The session will enhance delegates’ understanding of TCIM’s current landscape with a specific focus on the public health context. Speakers will also highlight opportunities for public health professionals to contribute to implementation of the WHO TM Strategy.
CONCLUSIONS:
Public health professionals have a critical role in realizing the WHO TM Strategy, which will drive significant health system and policy transformation globally. By being informed, they can actively shape and respond to changes over the next decade.
In May 2025, the World Health Assembly ratified the World Health Organization’s Global Traditional Medicine Strategy (2025–2034), envisioning “a world in which there is universal, safe, effective and people-centred traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM) for the health and well-being of all.” The strategy outlines four
OBJECTIVES:
(1) strengthen the evidence base for TCIM, (2) support safe and effective TCIM through regulatory mechanisms, (3) integrate TCIM into health systems, and (4) optimize cross-sector value and empower communities. Despite global commitment, the public health community has limited engagement with TCIM—an area poised to transform health systems.
METHODS:
This session will draw on four TCIM experts to inform public health researchers and practitioners about the landscape underpinning these objectives. Professor Amie Steel will present the WHO TM Research Roadmap; Professor Ossy Kasilo will discuss regulatory mechanisms for TCIM products and practitioners in Africa; Dr Daniel Gallego-Perez will outline TCIM integration into health systems in the Americas; and Professor Jon Wardle will share insights into cross-sectoral engagement. A panel discussion will follow to explore these concepts further.
RESULTS:
The session will enhance delegates’ understanding of TCIM’s current landscape with a specific focus on the public health context. Speakers will also highlight opportunities for public health professionals to contribute to implementation of the WHO TM Strategy.
CONCLUSIONS:
Public health professionals have a critical role in realizing the WHO TM Strategy, which will drive significant health system and policy transformation globally. By being informed, they can actively shape and respond to changes over the next decade.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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