Building Bridges Toward Common Goals - A Call for Greater Collaboration Between Public Health and Integrative,...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Integrative Medicine
• Health Policy

Background:

• Public health initiatives often face challenges in engaging diverse populations, including those with vaccine hesitancy.
• Integrative, complementary, and traditional health practitioners (ICTHP) possess unique skills for community engagement.
• Past collaborations between public health and ICTHP have demonstrated positive outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for increased collaboration between public health professionals and ICTHP.
• To highlight the potential of ICTHP in overcoming public health challenges and divisions.
• To emphasize the importance of equitable processes in maintaining diverse partnerships.

Main Methods:

• This is a commentary, presenting a perspective and argument for collaboration.
• It draws on previous successful partnership models.
• It discusses the potential roles and benefits of ICTHP in public health.

Main Results:

• Collaborations can help overcome ideological differences and build trust.
• ICTHP providers can engage individuals and communities hesitant towards conventional public health approaches.
• Equitable processes are key to sustaining diverse partnerships.

Conclusions:

• Partnerships between public health and ICTHP are critical for addressing complex public health issues.
• Leveraging the unique strengths of ICTHP can enhance the health workforce and achieve shared health goals.
• Further development of equitable collaborative frameworks is recommended.