Americas' Push to Integrate Traditional Medicine Into Modern Healthcare Systems

WHO estimates that billions of people rely on traditional healing practices, herbal medicine, and self-care interventions as part of their daily healthcare routines.

Health leaders, researchers, and policymakers from across Latin America have called for stronger integration of traditional medicine and self-care into national healthcare systems, arguing that culturally grounded approaches can improve public health, strengthen communities, and support more inclusive care models.

The discussions took place during a regional dialogue for the Americas held on 13 May 2026 in Peru under the theme Innovative Experiences to Strengthen Health and Self-Care through Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine. The event was hosted by EsSalud, Peru's public social security and healthcare agency.

Representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), academic institutions, health ministries, and traditional medicine experts from Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico, and Peru participated in the meeting.

Participants emphasized that traditional medicine should not be viewed as a replacement for modern healthcare systems, but rather as a complementary approach capable of improving prevention, cultural inclusion, and community engagement within healthcare delivery.

Growing Global Recognition of Traditional Medicine

Across many regions of the world, traditional and complementary medicine continues to play a major role in how communities manage health and well-being.

WHO estimates that billions of people rely on traditional healing practices, herbal medicine, and self-care interventions as part of their daily healthcare routines.

Health officials at the dialogue stressed that integrating evidence-based traditional medicine into formal healthcare systems can help improve access to care, particularly in underserved or Indigenous communities where cultural practices remain deeply connected to health and identity.

The discussions also reflected broader international momentum following the launch of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, which encourages countries to adopt more people-centered and culturally sensitive healthcare systems.

Peru Showcases Long-Term Integration Model

Peru highlighted one of the region's most established examples of integrating traditional medicine into public healthcare.

Dr. Martha Villar López of EsSalud explained that Peru has spent nearly three decades incorporating complementary medicine into national health services through research, education, and community-based prevention programs.

A central initiative, known as Reforma de Vida and operating under the program Prevenir, focuses on reducing chronic noncommunicable diseases through workplace-based prevention activities.

The program combines modern preventive healthcare with principles rooted in Andean cultural traditions and holistic well-being.

Educational activities are structured around three concepts:

• Celestial nourishment, emphasizing movement, purpose, and emotional well-being

• Terrestrial nourishment, focused on healthy regional diets and nutrition

• Human nourishment, addressing relationships, stress management, identity, and spirituality

Grounded in the Andean worldview and the concept of ayllu — a traditional form of communal living and cooperation — the program aims to align healthcare with local cultural values.

Since 2007, the initiative has reportedly trained more than 6,600 health leaders, certified over 3,100 health-supportive organizations, and partnered with nearly 11,000 employers across Peru.

Bolivia Advances Medical Pluralism

Bolivia's presentation focused on legal recognition of traditional medicine and the concept of "medical pluralism," where traditional healing practices coexist alongside conventional biomedical care.

Traditional healer Adelino Pau Carpacheco, an 82-year-old Callawaya practitioner, described working with more than 220 medicinal plants using knowledge passed down through generations.

Bolivia formally recognized traditional medicine under Law 459, creating a legal framework that integrates Indigenous healing practices into the national healthcare system.

Under the country's approach, both traditional medicine and conventional healthcare services are offered free of charge through the public system.

Officials said the policy has helped preserve Indigenous medical knowledge while improving healthcare access for rural and culturally diverse populations.

Mexico Focuses on Indigenous Knowledge and Food Culture

Mexico presented initiatives aimed at preserving Indigenous medical knowledge and promoting healthier traditional diets.

In Veracruz, communities partnered with a university to protect Totonac traditional medicine through a diploma program launched in 2019. The initiative has already produced manuals and dictionaries designed to preserve cultural knowledge threatened by migration and generational change.

Mexico also highlighted the Dieta de la Milpa program, which promotes healthier eating habits rooted in traditional Mayan agricultural systems and ingredients.

The program addresses both malnutrition and rising chronic diseases by reconnecting food, culture, and health through community-driven approaches involving Indigenous leaders, local cooks, and regional authorities.

Health experts said such culturally grounded nutrition programs can play a major role in disease prevention while strengthening local food systems and cultural identity.

Brazil Expands Community Therapy Model

Brazil showcased the rapid growth of Integrative Community Therapy, a mental health and social support model developed more than 40 years ago by psychiatrist Dr. Adalberto Barreto.

The therapy involves community discussion circles where participants share experiences, emotional struggles, and coping strategies in a collective setting.

The approach has now spread to more than 47 countries and has become increasingly integrated into Brazil's public healthcare system since being formally recognized in national policy in 2017.

By 2025, Brazil was reportedly delivering more than five million integrative practice procedures annually through primary healthcare services, while registrations for community therapy programs increased by over 500 percent in eight years.

However, officials noted that access remains uneven, with services concentrated primarily in large urban centers such as São Paulo.

WHO Emphasizes Self-Care and Universal Health Coverage

WHO representatives stressed that self-care interventions are increasingly viewed as essential for achieving universal health coverage worldwide.

Dr. Manjulaa Narasimhan, head of WHO's unit for Sexual Health and Well-being across the Life-course, explained that traditional medicine can serve as an important bridge for promoting self-care practices within communities.

WHO argues that traditional medicine is most effective when integrated directly into primary healthcare systems rather than operating separately from mainstream medical services.

According to WHO, sustainable healthcare systems should be designed around continuity of care, community participation, and culturally relevant services that reflect people's values and lived experiences.

The organization has also developed a self-care competency framework outlining key skills for healthcare workers to support safe and evidence-based self-care interventions.

Shift Toward More Inclusive Healthcare Models

Participants at the regional dialogue agreed that healthcare systems worldwide are gradually shifting toward more inclusive and culturally responsive models.

Experts argued that combining evidence-based traditional medicine with modern healthcare can strengthen prevention strategies, improve patient trust, and increase healthcare accessibility in marginalized communities.

At the same time, speakers stressed the importance of regulation, scientific evidence, trained healthcare professionals, and strong referral systems to ensure patient safety and quality standards.

Health leaders concluded that integrating traditional medicine responsibly into national healthcare systems could help create more equitable, community-centered, and resilient healthcare systems in the future.