Integrative medicine and health

The European Parliament Interest Group on Integrative Medicine & Health brings together MEPs who work collectively to promote the inclusion of Complementary and Alternative Medicine as part of Integrative Medicine & Health in all possible European Parliament public health policy. It raises the profile of these issues at European level with regular meetings on a variety of topics

Growing numbers of integrative medicine practitioners and doctors combine conventional medicine with complementary and traditional approaches to achieve optimum health and wellbeing for their patients, allowing them to access a broad choice of individually adapted solutions. They offer a therapeutic, holistic, patient-centred approach to healthcare that takes into consideration both the patient’s physical and psychological wellbeing and treats the whole person rather than just the disease. Integrative medicine combines a wide range of high quality medicines, including both conventional and traditional medicines.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Global report on Traditional andd Complementary Medicine 2019 reports that homeopathy is used in 100 countries around the world, making it the third most popular specific complementary medicine after acupuncture and herbal medicine. 

The inclusive approach of integrative medicine meets the demand of EU citizens for a holistic, patient-centred approach in medicine. One in two EU citizens uses complementary medicine integ rated with conventional care.

This trend is endorsed around the world by prescribers, patients and health authorities. It is opening up a world in which the potential of our sector can be better understood and exploited.

A worldwide community of users and practitioners of traditional, complementary and integrative healthcare (TCIH) have come together to publish a common declaration, calling for a personcentred and holistic approach to healthcare. This initiative has added weight to work at an international level in this area.

There is a growing body of evidence supporting the use of integrative therapies as effective supportive care strategies in cancer patients and around 40% of cancer patients use complementary medicine methods in addition to their conventional cancer treatment. The International Federation of Anthroposophic Medical Associations (IVAA) shows how integrative approaches to cancer care can alleviate suffering and improve health outcomes.

For further information

• WHO global report on traditional and complementary medicine 2019
• EUROCAM – the network of European CAM organisations
• EUROCAM Position Paper ‘Role of CAM and Integrative Oncology in the context of cancer’, MArch 2022
• MEP Interest Group on Integrative Medicine &  Health

For further information

• WHO global report on traditional and complementary medicine 2019
• EUROCAM – the network of European CAM organisations
• EUROCAM Position Paper ‘Role of CAM and Integrative Oncology in the context of cancer’, MArch 2022
• MEP Interest Group on Integrative Medicine &  Health