TCM inclusion shows WHO's holistic view on health

Traditional Chinese medicine will be included into the World Health Organization's forthcoming International Classification of Diseases to be released next year, according to the science magazine Nature.

As a normative yardstick for classification of diseases in the fields of healthcare, management, teaching, research, insurance and policymaking around the world, the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, to give it its full title, is considered the international "standard diagnostic tool for epidemiology, health management and clinical purposes".

The inclusion of TCM is in line with the global trend for a more holistic view of health rather than merely disease treatment, and it will help promote the development of the traditional medicine system across the world so it can make greater contributions to human health.