A research agenda with a global scope
On 16 September 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) published its global research priorities and agenda for traditional, complementary and integrative medicine. Its scope spans many traditions and is broader than traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It offers context for following TCM internationally, but is not a report exclusively about TCM.
What the agenda looks at
WHO says the agenda draws on analyses of the research landscape and consultation with stakeholders across its six regions. It is intended to help countries, funders and researchers identify priorities, connecting the need for evidence with questions of safety, regulation and health service delivery.
How to read it
A research agenda identifies questions for future study; it does not establish that every treatment it covers is effective. Any assessment of a specific TCM treatment still depends on the health condition, intervention, research design, size of any benefit and potential risks. A global policy document is context, not individual medical advice.
Sources
These links lead to original documents or official organizations.