Traditional and complementary medicine for promoting healthy ageing in WHO Western Pacific Region: Policy implications from utilization patterns and current evidence
Background: With increasing burden of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD), ageing becomes a global public health concern, and the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region has no exception. To address the NCD challenge, priority should be given to promote healthy ageing across the life-co...
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Elsevier
2021-03-01
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| Series: | Integrative Medicine Research |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213422020301013 |
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| author | Vincent C.H. Chung Charlene H.L. Wong Claire C.W. Zhong Yan Yin Tjioe Ting Hung Leung Sian M. Griffiths |
| author_facet | Vincent C.H. Chung Charlene H.L. Wong Claire C.W. Zhong Yan Yin Tjioe Ting Hung Leung Sian M. Griffiths |
| author_sort | Vincent C.H. Chung |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: With increasing burden of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD), ageing becomes a global public health concern, and the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region has no exception. To address the NCD challenge, priority should be given to promote healthy ageing across the life-course. As traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) is popular within the Region, it is of policy interest to explore possibilities of applying T&CM for promoting healthy ageing. Methods: We first summarized sources of clinical evidence supporting the use of T&CM. We then searched publications through MEDLINE from its inception to April 2020 to identify studies focusing on the perception of T&CM among older people. Finally, taking current evidence base and patient choice into account, we generated policy recommendations for of integrating T&CM into health systems. Result: Experiences from countries with different income levels suggested that promoting evidence-based T&CM as self-care modalities would be the most efficient way of maximizing impact among the older population, especially via a train the trainer approach. Meanwhile, popularity of natural products in the Region mandates policy makers to implement appropriate regulation and quality assurance, and to establish pharmacovigilance to detect potential harm. The role of pharmacists in advising patients on self-medication using natural products needs to be strengthened. Conclusion: Policy-makers will benefit from continued global dialogue and sharing of experience in T&CM policy development and implementation. Harmonizing regulatory frameworks for natural products at regional and global levels, including mutual recognition of regulatory approval, to improve standards and protect patients could be a priority. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d0dc1a1621b34af1aa2dea53a12e2fb0 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2213-4220 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Integrative Medicine Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-d0dc1a1621b34af1aa2dea53a12e2fb02025-08-20T02:55:10ZengElsevierIntegrative Medicine Research2213-42202021-03-0110110046910.1016/j.imr.2020.100469Traditional and complementary medicine for promoting healthy ageing in WHO Western Pacific Region: Policy implications from utilization patterns and current evidenceVincent C.H. Chung0Charlene H.L. Wong1Claire C.W. Zhong2Yan Yin Tjioe3Ting Hung Leung4Sian M. Griffiths5Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong KongJockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Corresponding author at: Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong KongSchool of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Nanyang Technological University, SingaporeSchool of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong KongJockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong KongBackground: With increasing burden of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD), ageing becomes a global public health concern, and the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region has no exception. To address the NCD challenge, priority should be given to promote healthy ageing across the life-course. As traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) is popular within the Region, it is of policy interest to explore possibilities of applying T&CM for promoting healthy ageing. Methods: We first summarized sources of clinical evidence supporting the use of T&CM. We then searched publications through MEDLINE from its inception to April 2020 to identify studies focusing on the perception of T&CM among older people. Finally, taking current evidence base and patient choice into account, we generated policy recommendations for of integrating T&CM into health systems. Result: Experiences from countries with different income levels suggested that promoting evidence-based T&CM as self-care modalities would be the most efficient way of maximizing impact among the older population, especially via a train the trainer approach. Meanwhile, popularity of natural products in the Region mandates policy makers to implement appropriate regulation and quality assurance, and to establish pharmacovigilance to detect potential harm. The role of pharmacists in advising patients on self-medication using natural products needs to be strengthened. Conclusion: Policy-makers will benefit from continued global dialogue and sharing of experience in T&CM policy development and implementation. Harmonizing regulatory frameworks for natural products at regional and global levels, including mutual recognition of regulatory approval, to improve standards and protect patients could be a priority.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213422020301013Healthy agingMedicine, traditionalComplementary therapiesHealth policyReview |
| spellingShingle | Vincent C.H. Chung Charlene H.L. Wong Claire C.W. Zhong Yan Yin Tjioe Ting Hung Leung Sian M. Griffiths Traditional and complementary medicine for promoting healthy ageing in WHO Western Pacific Region: Policy implications from utilization patterns and current evidence Integrative Medicine Research Healthy aging Medicine, traditional Complementary therapies Health policy Review |
| title | Traditional and complementary medicine for promoting healthy ageing in WHO Western Pacific Region: Policy implications from utilization patterns and current evidence |
| title_full | Traditional and complementary medicine for promoting healthy ageing in WHO Western Pacific Region: Policy implications from utilization patterns and current evidence |
| title_fullStr | Traditional and complementary medicine for promoting healthy ageing in WHO Western Pacific Region: Policy implications from utilization patterns and current evidence |
| title_full_unstemmed | Traditional and complementary medicine for promoting healthy ageing in WHO Western Pacific Region: Policy implications from utilization patterns and current evidence |
| title_short | Traditional and complementary medicine for promoting healthy ageing in WHO Western Pacific Region: Policy implications from utilization patterns and current evidence |
| title_sort | traditional and complementary medicine for promoting healthy ageing in who western pacific region policy implications from utilization patterns and current evidence |
| topic | Healthy aging Medicine, traditional Complementary therapies Health policy Review |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213422020301013 |
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