Equity, intercultural approaches, and access to information on traditional, complementary, and integrative medicines in the Americas

Abstract

Access to information and intercultural approaches in the field of health are essential for the elimination of inequities in health access and care. Intercultural models such as traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) are an important part of health care in most countries and often contribute to expanding access to primary health care. Despite legal recognition and policies to integrate TCIM into health systems, their contribution to health, well-being, and people-centered care to achieve universal health is still underestimated. This article presents the progress (2017-2020) achieved by the Virtual Health Library specialized in the TCIM (VHL TCIM Americas), an initiative created as a tool to reduce the gaps in the production and access to validated information on TCIM. Through collaborative network work, VHL TCIM Americas contributes to the democratization of health, access to verified scientific data, visibility of non-conventional knowledge, strengthening of research capacities, and exchange of experiences for informed decision-making.

Práticas integrativas e complementares em saúde no Espírito Santo sob a ótica dos municípios capixabas

“…Para tal, esse modelo deve assumir-se como estratégia cotidiana a beneficiar todos os envolvidos no acolhimento, na promoção, na proteção e na recuperação e manutenção da saúde; e incentivar a cidadania, a autonomia e a responsabilidade social dos sujeitos 27 . Reitera-se, portanto, a emergente necessidade de investir na divulgação dessas estratégias de revitalização do cuidado, assim como sensibilizar gestores, profissionais e usuários de seu impacto positivo como estratégia em saúde em todos os pontos da RAS 17 .…”

Ethnobotanical Insights: Qualitative Analysis of Medicinal Plants in Colón Putumayo for Traditional Knowledge Preservation

“…For generations, these plants have played a pivotal role in healthcare practices, benefiting Indigenous communities and the general population alike [25]. They have been utilized to address a wide range of conditions, preserving overall well-being, and serving as a testament to the profound traditional knowledge and cultural heritage surrounding medicinal plant use in Colombia [26]. Despite the country's abundant natural resources, scientific understanding of its flora remains limited in several aspects [27].…”

“…Gallego-Pérez et al (2021) revealed the importance of traditional medicine to indigenous cultures in Putumayo [26]. They urged for harmony between traditional and modern healthcare.…”

Conocimientos ancestrales y uso de plantas medicinales en la prevención y tratamiento de la COVID- 19 en el Perú

“…Por otro lado, los modelos interculturales, como las medicinas tradicionales, complementarias e integrativas (MTCI) son una parte importante del cuidado de la salud en la mayoría de los países y, frecuentemente, contribuyen a ampliar el acceso a la atención primaria de esta. A pesar del reconocimiento legal y de la existencia de políticas para la integración de las MTCI en los sistemas de salud, aún se subestima su contribución a ellos (Gallego-Pérez et al, 2020). Por las consideraciones descritas, se formuló la siguiente pregunta ¿Qué importancia supone el uso de la medicina tradicional para combatir las afecciones causadas por la pandemia actual?…”