Traditional medicine debate includes community rights

Speakers discussed experience in Bolivia, Mexico and Peru.

The event took place on 13 May; WHO published its account on 25 May.

Publication date: a WHO account of WHA79 highlighted Indigenous knowledge in discussions of traditional medicine and health.

Publication date: a speaker explained how the survival of medicinal plants depends on healthy and diverse ecosystems.

Publication date: WHO reported a discussion of Indigenous Peoples’ role in protecting biodiversity and health knowledge.

Publication date: WHO described a 13 May regional dialogue about traditional and integrative medicine in the Americas.

Publication date: the WHO account considered how health services could listen to community approaches and self-care.

Publication date: PAHO and WHO participants discussed responsible integration of traditional knowledge.

Publication date: the report framed integration as a matter for health system design and evidence rather than automatic approval.

Publication date: WHO discussed yoga in the context of ageing, movement and well-being; this is not an announcement of a cure.