The evolving future of traditional medicine: Bridging heritage, innovation, and safety

Title : The evolving future of traditional medicine: Bridging heritage, innovation, and safety

Abstract:

Traditional Medicine (TM) has been an underlaying support of healthcare for thousands of years, especially across Asia, the Western Pacific, and the Eastern Mediterranean. Today, with over 80% of World Health Organization (WHO) Member States relying on its practices, TM—led by acupuncture—stands at a crossroads. Since 2003, the WHO has worked to standardize TM, culminating in ICD-11’s Chapter 26, fostering interoperable documentation and research to improve patient-centered outcomes. This presentation explores how acupuncture and other TM practices can integrate into modern healthcare by coordinating their rich heritage with innovation and safety—a mission I’ve pursued for decades. Drawing on my experience in acupuncture education, policy, and global advocacy, we’ll dive into: (1) TM’s historical evolution across cultures, with acupuncture as a cornerstone; (2) the role of technology—electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine, and AI-assisted diagnostics—in enhancing ethnomedicine’s reach and safety; (3) the vital importance of global safety and ethical standards to protect practitioners and patients; and (4) challenges to TM’s adoption in Western systems, from regulatory hurdles to public perception. Innovations like ICD-11, TM1, and TM2 classifications, alongside health system collaborations, showcase TM’s ever-evolving progress while preserving its diversity. With data from 179 Member States and WHO’s TM frameworks, the urgency is clear: TM must become a standardized necessity in global healthcare. This session offers a vision of that future—practical insights into best practices, integration strategies, and inspiration for practitioners to shape TM’s role worldwide. Together, we can ensure TM remains a living, vital force for patient care.

Biography:

Marilyn Allen's journey into the healing arts of Traditional Medicine began over 35 years ago She currently serves as the Vice President of The American Acupuncture Council, a division of Allied Professional Insurance Company, and advocates for Traditional Medicine worldwide. She currently teaches Career Development, Practice Management, Laws and Ethics at seventeen of the Acupuncture and Chiropractic schools in the United States. In 2005 she was appointed as a delegate to the World Health Organization for Traditional Medicine. She serves on the Technical Advisory Group for point location, standardization of 4000 terms and in 2010 expanded into developing a classification for ICD-TM-II. She also serves on the Quality of Care and Patient Safety TAG. She also serves on the International Standards Committee to create standards for herbs, herbal formulas, needle manufacturing and updated terminology. Her mission is to advance Traditional Medicine globally and to help produce skilled practitioners, that can serve the global citizens to have choices with their healthcare.