This report is structured in five parts: national framework for traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM); product regulation; practices and practitioners; the challenges faced by countries; and finally the country profiles. Apart from the section on practices and practitioners the report is consistent with the format of the report of the first global survey in order to provide a useful comparison. The section on practices and practitioners which covers providers education and health insurance is a new section incorporated to reflect the emerging trends in T&CM and to gather new information regarding these topics at a national level. All new information received has been incorporated into individual country profiles and data graphs. The report captures the three phases of progress made by Member States; that is before and after the first WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy (1999?2005) from the first global survey to the second global survey (2005?2012) and from the second survey to the most recent timeline (2012?2018).

In the fourth instalment of his ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ series, Gerald Chan provides a critical analysis of China’s vaccine diplomacy. Locating it within China’s wider infrastructure development strategy, Chan deploys geo-developmentalism as a theoretical tool to analyse its contribution to a new global health order, particularly with the pandemic pushing the country to the forefront of vaccine exportation.

Resilient Health: Leveraging Technology and Social Innovations to Transform Healthcare for COVID-19 Recovery and Beyond presents game-changing and disruptive technological innovations and social applications in health and mental health care around the world for the post-COVID age and beyond, addressing the urgent need for care. In this first-of-its kind comprehensive volume, experts and stakeholders from all sectors - government and the public and private sectors - offer models and frameworks for policy, programming, and financing to transform healthcare, address inequities, close the treatment gap, and “build back better,” especially for under-resourced vulnerable communities globally, to “leave no one behind” and advance development globally. Contributions from world experts cover 8 essential parts: The context and challenges for resilient health systems to shape the future; developments and directions (AI, VR, MR, IVAs and more); an innovations toolbox, also targeted for special populations and settings (women, youth, ageing, migrants, disabled persons, indigenous peoples, in the workplace); the role of stakeholders (governments, the public and private sector); forums and networks; innovative financing; resources, lessons learned and the way forward. Addresses the “hot” topic today in the ever-emerging landscape of disruptive digital healthcare delivery, covering critical issues and solutions in digital health, big data, and artificial intelligence as well as benefits and challenges, and ethical concerns Provides case examples of transformative and radical solutions to urgent health needs, especially in remote low-resource settings as well as in less well-covered regions of Central and South America and MENA (Middle East and North Africa) Positions health innovations at the nexus of the global framework of Universal Health Coverage and of the United Nations Sustainable Developing Goals to achieve SDG3 - good health and well-being –at the intersection with climate action, gender equality, quality education, eradication of poverty and hunger, sustainable cities, environmental protection and others. Serves as an exceptional resource, reference, teaching tool, and guide for all stakeholders including civil society and NGOs, government, think tanks, investors, academia, researchers and practitioners, product developers and all policymakers and programmers involved in planning and delivering healthcare, including an extensive section of resources in the digital health space in various categories like publications, conferences, and collaboratives. Provides examples of, and encourages, multi-stakeholder partnerships essential to re-imagine health systems, delivery and access, and to achieve intended healthcare objectives

This third edition of UNODC’s quadrennial World Wildlife Crime Report, aims to provide a tool to assess and improve responses to this hugely damaging form of criminal activity. The present report covers trends in the illicit wildlife trade, analyses harms and impacts, probes driving factors, and takes stock of responses. Wildlife crimes are diverse and often devastating in their impact and consequences. They hamper conservation efforts, damage ecosystems, and contribute to undermining our planet’s capacity to mitigate climate change. They also infringe on the essential needs, income opportunities, and cultural rights of local communities, and corrode governance and the rule of law. Global recognition of this damage has grown steadily, and after two decades of concerted action, there is some cause for optimism. There has been tangible success against trafficking of some iconic species, while cross-border cooperation and criminalization of wildlife crime have both improved.

This document provides information on the critical technical issues related to interactions between herbal medicines and other medicines for health-care professionals, regulators, researchers, pharmacovigilance centres, manufacturers and consumers. The intention of this document is to provide as much concise information as possible, and to give direction and guidance on capitalizing resources to support informed decision-making and maximize the safe concurrent use of herbal medicines and other medicines. The concepts of beneficial and harmful herb-drug interaction (HDI)s are introduced, with documented examples from the published literature. Types of HDI and their mechanisms are outlined, and the relevance of in vitro, general screening and in vivo tests is included. Challenges faced in evaluating and monitoring HDIs, data collection, assessment and dissemination of information are briefly discussed. The education and training of health professionals and consumers are addressed, together with potential research strategies for further investigation of the mechanisms, incidence, monitoring and management of HDIs.

Asia is the world’s most populous region and has the highest per capita number of older people in the world. It is also home to the healthy ageing traditions of Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine and the rich regional traditions of Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. This book addresses policies related to ageing, traditional Asian approaches to ageing, an integrated medical system approaches to ageing, ageing in place, and community empowerment. Features Presents information on The 100-Year Life. As a counterpoint to focussing on the frail elderly, Japan is promoting the ‘100-Year Life Society’, a societal model in which all citizens are dynamically engaged and productive throughout the lifespan to reach a healthy 100 years of age. Discusses a framework for optimization of Ageing in Place or staying at home as this is a desired option for most older people. Presents evidence for exercise and movement in healthy aging with guidelines in different states of ageing. Features information on how to improve mental wellbeing in cognitive decline, isolation and loneliness, poor nutrition, and reduced mobility. Creates an understanding of loss and bereavement through processes and the impact of loss. Provides information on developments in health technology to optimize efficiency, accuracy, and effectiveness of providers. Details health insurance options including coverage for traditional as well as modern medical services, provides models for other countries in the region. Lists coping skills or abilities to help older people to be more independent and in control of their lives. Features information on Asian herbs, spices and foods in healthy ageing across the lifepsan and specifically in addressing age-related health issues. "What is required is a new culture based on the science in which older people are expected to remain, or become increasingly active, physically, cognitively and emotionally maintaining or strengthening a strong sense of purpose. Europe is looking to Asia because this culture is more prevalent there than in Europe. The core theme is not one of ‘caring’ for a passive subset of the population but of promoting lifelong learning because knowledge is the elixir of life." - Professor Sir Muir Gray, Founding Director, The Optimal Ageing Programme & Professor in the Nuffield Department of Surgery, University of Oxford

The WHO benchmarks for the training of Unani medicine is an update of its previous version published in 2010. It defines the minimum requirement/criteria for establishing training of Unani medicine in WHO Member States. It provides the fundamental knowledge requirements for all those involved in practice and training of Unani medicine, including safety issues related to its clinical application and medicinal preparation. The document shall serve as a reference to national authorities to establish/strengthen regulatory standards to ensure qualified training and practice of Unani medicine. The document is aligned with the objectives of the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-23. It reflects consensus arrived through established WHO processes from the community of practitioners in Unani medicine, health service providers, academics, health system managers, and regulators. The document provides information on types of training including training requirements for Unani medicine practitioners and associate Unani medicine service providers, presents the requirements on competency-based knowledge and skills for Unani medicine practitioners and associate Unani medicine providers, and provides content and structures for different training programmes. This update differs from the previous edition in its description of category of health work force, type of training offered and information integrating category of training with the levels of practice described in the WHO Benchmarks for the Practice of Unani medicine.

The WHO benchmarks for the practice of Unani medicine defines the minimum requirement/criteria for establishing practice in Unani medicine in WHO Member States, by providing minimum reference standards for safety and quality of Unani medicine practice. This document provides WHO Member States with the general and minimum technical requirements for quality assurance and regulation of Unani medicine practice. It is aligned with the objectives of the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-23, and reflects the consensus reached through established WHO processes from the community of practitioners in Unani medicine, health service providers, academics, health system managers and regulators. It provides information and describes levels of practice in Unani medicine, presents the different categories of Unani health service providers, describes the requirements for infrastructure and facilities, as well as relevant requirements and considerations in the practice of Unani health interventions, of the health products and medical devices used in Unani medicine practice, emphasizing the key elements for the safe practice of Unani medicine. It also presents the requirements and relevant considerations of regulatory, legal and ethical aspects of Unani medicine practice, and suggests the process for management of related health data.