Geointelligence for Health: How to Convert Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) into City-Level Services
Traditional medical knowledge is moving from the margins to the mainstream of global health policy. As societies age and chronic diseases proliferate, interest is surging in how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and related systems can complement conventional care. In fact, 82% of the world’s population uses some form of traditional medicine, and Chinese medicine is practiced in over 180 countries. Within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, healthy aging has risen high on the agenda, with ministers in 2025 emphasizing innovation and digital health to support aging societies. Integrating TCM into city-level health services offers a novel strategy to enhance healthy aging, strengthen health system resilience, and create exportable healthcare solutions. This report analyzes the Chinese and Korean models of traditional medicine, situates them in the APEC 2025 healthy aging context, and outlines frameworks for converting TCM know-how into compliant, auditable city services.
International Branding Strategies for TCM (The “10P” Model)
- Prospect: Establishing clear theoretical underpinnings, scientific evidence of efficacy, and quality control measures for TCM.
- Prescription: Optimizing TCM herbal prescriptions by understanding herb properties and ensuring evidence-based formulation.
- Product: Ensuring product safety and efficacy – TCM’s long history provides extensive evidence of safe use, but modern standards and uniform quality controls are needed to internationalize these remedies.
- Patent: Protecting and innovating intellectual property – developing patent portfolios around TCM formulas/technologies adds corporate value and encourages the modernization of traditional remedies.
- Price: Maintaining cost advantages of TCM while smartly pricing branded products. TCM products are often affordable, and branding coupled with patent value can justify pricing if costs and consumer segments are carefully managed.
- Place: Leveraging geographic branding – highlighting the cultural and ecological origin of remedies (e.g., renowned herb-growing regions) to enhance authenticity and trust.
- Partnership: Building international partnerships and e-partnerships – collaborating with local distributors, e-commerce platforms, and practitioners abroad to localize TCM products and knowledge.
- Professionalism: Garnering support from healthcare professionals – positive expert reviews, practitioner endorsements, and clinical validation can boost credibility, especially in Western markets.
- People: Engaging consumers and communities – encouraging user reviews, testimonials, and word-of-mouth to build trust in TCM products (particularly effective in digitally connected markets).
- Philosophy: Communicating the holistic philosophy behind TCM – educating global consumers on TCM’s wellness approach and cultural heritage to differentiate it from purely chemical-based therapies.
Using this 10P framework, scholars analyzed hundreds of TCM products in Western markets. Notably, their research examined TCM items sold on Amazon USA (404 products) and Amazon Denmark (260 products), as well as data from specialized websites in those countries. In comparison, the sheer volume of consumer comments or sales figures had less impact. A data-driven global strategy can pinpoint whether to focus on grassroots consumer outreach or on professional endorsements and quality assurances in each target country.
Equally important is harnessing modern technology. Chen's team conducted “Structural Strategies of International Branding in TCM” study employed cluster analysis (using a K-Prototype algorithm) on data from 70 East Asian TCM companies, identifying patterns in how firms incorporate the 10Ps. The research highlights that emerging technologies – from virtual reality marketing to artificial intelligence – are expected to accelerate cross-integration with TCM, boosting its popularity and accessibility. For example, AI can help personalize herbal recommendations or optimize supply chains, while virtual reality might enhance TCM education and wellness tourism. By combining advanced tech with the 10P model, the studies predict a significant improvement in TCM's “popularity efficiency” “popularity efficiency” worldwide. In short, global strategy analytics can illuminate how TCM businesses and practitioners should innovate and communicate to thrive in the digital economy.
Traditional Medicine in China and Korea
China and Korea provide a compelling twin case study in traditional medicine’s role in modern society. Both countries have long institutionalized their traditional medicine alongside Western medicine, operating a dual healthcare system. TCM in China and Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) in Korea are supported by formal 6-year medical education programs, and key treatments such as acupuncture, moxibustion, and cupping are fully covered by national health insurance. This supportive policy environment has enabled TCM/TKM to flourish as legitimate medical disciplines in their home countries.
Historically, Korean traditional medicine is derived from the Chinese tradition but has developed distinctive features over time. As early as the 10th century, Koreans studied Chinese medical classics but gradually began to indigenize the knowledge. A seminal moment came in the 17th century with the publication of Donguibogam (1613) by Heo Jun, which laid the foundation for an independent Korean medical system. Korean tradition places special emphasis on the individual’s constitution and holistic profile rather than just isolated symptoms. This concept was later formalized into the Sasang constitutional medicine in the 19th–20th centuries, categorizing people into types to tailor treatments. In essence, TKM evolved as a “whole-person-centered” modality, customizing therapies to the patient’s innate characteristics and balance. Chinese TCM, while also holistic, historically focused more on pattern diagnosis and herbal formula systems common to all, whereas the Korean practice zeroed in on constitutional differences. These nuances mean that Chinese and Korean traditional medicines can offer complementary insights: Chinese TCM offers a vast pharmacopeia and well-documented formulas, while Korean TKM provides a lens of personalization and unique herbal adaptations.
China and South Korea have both institutionalized their traditional medicines, but through different models. China’s TCM system is deeply integrated with large TCM hospitals and clinics operating alongside Western medical facilities in every province, under the oversight of the National Administration of TCM. Chinese physicians can be trained in integrated medicine, and TCM departments exist even in general hospitals. By contrast, South Korea maintains parallel streams; Korean medicine doctors (KMDs) attend dedicated six-year universities and practice in Korean medicine hospitals or clinics, distinct from Western hospitals. Governance falls under the Ministry of Health, with a dedicated Traditional Korean Medicine bureau and research institutes like NIKOM (National Institute for Korean Medicine Development). Both countries ensure rigorous licensing for practitioners, and both have seen government policies protect and promote their traditional therapies as part of national heritage and public health.
A key difference lies in insurance and utilization. In China, a broad range of TCM services (acupuncture, herbal decoctions, tuina massage, etc.) are covered by national health insurance, reflecting TCM’s significant role in care delivery. Indeed, TCM has been incorporated into China’s essential healthcare, contributing a substantial share of outpatient visits and inpatient care. South Korea’s National Health Insurance, while covering Korean acupuncture, moxibustion, and cupping since the 1980s, historically only reimbursed a limited selection of herbal medicine (As of 2021, 67 single herbs and 56 multi-herb formulas were covered in Korea). This means Korean patients often pay out-of-pocket for many herbal treatments, and Korean medicine accounts for only around 4% of total health insurance expenditures. However, Korea is expanding coverage through pilot projects—for example, adding Chuna manual therapy in 2019 and exploring broader herbal drug reimbursement. The insurance gap affects service models: Chinese TCM hospitals can provide comprehensive integrative treatments under insurance, whereas Korean clinics traditionally focused on out-of-pocket wellness and specialty care. Both countries are now converging toward integrative approaches, recognizing that traditional medicine can reduce costs for chronic illness and long-term care when appropriately covered.
China and Korea have pursued distinct but complementary strategies to “export” their traditional medicine systems globally. China’s strategy is state-driven and scale-oriented: TCM products and services have spread to 196 countries and regions. The government has facilitated the establishment of international TCM centers, set standards, and signed formal agreements abroad. As of 2022 China had 30 high-quality overseas TCM centers and 75 cooperation bases in operation, and TCM provisions are even written into 16 of China’s free trade agreements. During its current Five-Year Plan, China plans to build 30 more overseas TCM centers and 50 new cooperation bases, and to issue 30 new international TCM standards to bolster global compatibility. This top-down “Health Silk Road” approach, aligned with the Belt and Road Initiative, includes training practitioners from partner countries and deploying TCM medical teams abroad. A notable example was the deployment of TCM doctors and herb packets overseas during COVID-19; a WHO assessment credited TCM for contributing to pandemic control, boosting its international credibility.
Korea’s approach, while newer and on a smaller scale, has sharpened in recent years with strong government support. The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) launched a Traditional Korean Medicine Globalization Working Group in 2025, uniting public and private stakeholders, academia, and industry to strategize overseas expansion. Korea is directly funding and mentoring clinics to establish branches abroad. In 2023–2025, MOHW selected clinics for expansion to the U.S., Canada, and Southeast Asia, providing each with grants (~₩90 million) and regulatory consulting to navigate local laws for licensing and herbal product approvals. Simultaneously, Korea is promoting inbound medical tourism for traditional medicine: in 2024, ~33,000 foreign patients visited Korean medicine clinics (a post-pandemic high), leading MOHW to support clinics in tourist hubs to attract patients from China, Japan, the Middle East and beyond. These clinics offer “Korean Medicine and Tourism” packages with one-stop services for international patients. Such efforts, coupled with cultural outreach (e.g., promoting Korean wellness in pop culture and media), aim to position K-Medicine as a global commodity. Korean research also emphasizes international branding strategies – identifying digital partnership models and multi-“P” frameworks (prospect, product, people, etc.) to raise awareness of traditional remedies in Western markets. Chinese experts often highlight the need for rigorous quality standards and research to clarify herbal mechanisms, while Korean practitioners emphasize scientific validation of constitutional approaches.
At forums like APEC, where both nations are key players, presenting a united front on traditional medicine could amplify Asia’s voice. There is also a subtle healthy competition: China’s TCM industry is enormous and backed by state initiatives, whereas Korea has been actively branding “Korean Medicine” as a distinct cultural export (for example, South Korea successfully lobbied to inscribe the Donguibogam in UNESCO’s Memory of the World, highlighting its medical heritage). For global audiences, however, both systems deliver the core message that traditional therapies can coexist with and enrich modern healthcare. When comparing Chinese and Korean TCM, the takeaway is not to determine which is superior, but rather to appreciate a spectrum of practice that, together, showcases Asia-Pacific’s rich medical wisdom. This diversity provides remarkable insights – from China’s integrative hospitals that treat cancer patients with chemo and herbal decoctions, to Korea’s high-tech clinics offering acupuncture guided by modern diagnostic tools – all of which strengthen the case for broader acceptance of traditional medicine worldwide.
China leverages statecraft and trade to integrate TCM globally (from free trade agreements to WHO classifications), whereas Korea leverages niche marketing, cultural diplomacy, and targeted clinic expansion. These approaches are increasingly complementary. For example, in April 2025 the United Arab Emirates became the first Middle Eastern country to formally recognize Korean medicine, creating a licensing category separate from “generic” Asian medicine. By June 2025 Abu Dhabi updated its health regulations to include Korean medicine by name – only the third country to do so after China and India. UAE’s embrace of K-Medicine is partly driven by its booming traditional and complementary medicine market (valued at $2.78B in 2024) and a desire to incorporate proven remedies (like acupuncture and herbal therapy) into modern care. Korean officials hailed this “institutionalization” as a turning point, pledging to support the UAE and beyond in spreading traditional medicine solutions. Such examples highlight how cross-border recognition of each other’s traditional systems can open new markets for health services. Collaboration between China and Korea could be highly beneficial—for instance, joint research on comparative efficacy or uniting to set regional standards for herbal product quality.
TCM’s Role in Healthy Aging and Healthcare Innovation
One of the most promising intersections of traditional medicine and modern needs is in addressing the needs of aging populations. Many APEC economies – not only China and Korea, but also Japan, Singapore, the U.S., and beyond – are grappling with rapidly aging demographics. Traditional medicine offers preventive care, chronic disease management, and wellness maintenance philosophies that align closely with healthy aging goals. “Promoting Healthy and Active Aging” is a declared agenda item at APEC high-level meetings, and TCM can be a valuable tool in this effort. For example, TCM emphasizes maintaining balance and vitality through herbal tonics, acupuncture for pain management, and qigong exercises for mobility – interventions that can improve quality of life for seniors without heavy reliance on pharmaceuticals.
In a 2024 study based in Wenzhou, China, Chen and colleagues explored how social robots and sensor technology could enhance elderly care networks by facilitating interactions not just between seniors and caregivers, but also with TCM practitioners. The idea is that intelligent robots – equipped with health-monitoring and communication tools – could remind older adults to take herbal medicines, connect them via telemedicine with acupuncturists or doctors, and even perform fundamental diagnostic questioning in line with TCM principles. By establishing new roles for robotics in traditional caregiving settings, the study illustrates how cutting-edge technology can amplify TCM’s impact on aging societies. Imagine an eldercare center where an intelligent robot helps a 70-year-old practice tai chi movements for rehabilitation or guides them through breathing exercises derived from qigong, blending ancient practice with modern AI coaching. This vision of “intelligent alternation in lifestyle,” as Chen describes, leverages both AI and TCM to keep seniors healthy and engaged. Such cross-disciplinary innovation is precisely the kind of solution APEC’s planners hope to share region-wide as members strive for smart, aging-friendly communities.
Beyond care delivery, traditional medicine is inspiring new anti-aging products and biotechnologies. Chinese companies like MEBO Group, for instance, have combined TCM herbal knowledge with biomedical science to create regenerative treatments. MEBO originally became known for its herbal burn ointment but has since developed therapies for skin rejuvenation, health-monitoring, and communication tools – could remind older adults to take herbal medicines, connect them via telemedicine with acupuncturists or doctors, and even perform fundamental health monitoring, and communication tools – could remind older adults to take herbal medicines, connect them via telemedicine with acupuncturists or doctors, and even perform fundamental diagnostic questioning in line with older adults. Health-monitoring and communication tools could remind older adults to take herbal medicines, connect them via telemedicine with acupuncturists or doctors, and even perform fundamental diagnostic questioning tailored to older adults. Chinese biotech firms are blending TCM with modern techniques to target aging. MEBO’s regenerative skincare products and an oxygen-based delivery system are used to infuse herbal nutrients into the skin. By harnessing herbal extracts that stimulate tissue repair and delivering them with novel methods (such as oxygen pressure infusion), researchers have reported remarkable skin regeneration in patients over 50, effectively turning back the clock on some biomarkers of skin aging. This is one vivid example of how traditional medicine’s principles (in this case, nourishing the body’s regenerative capacity with herbs) are being validated and applied through modern science. The anti-aging market in the U.S., EU, and the Middle East has taken notice of such TCM-based innovations, from skincare to supplements, offering a new avenue for soft power and health entrepreneurship.
Global Outreach: Beyond Asia
While Asia-Pacific is the heartland of TCM, its global footprint is expanding fast. Work on international branding revealed that the United States is poised to become the largest export market for China’s TCM products, potentially surpassing even Hong Kong and Japan. In North America and Europe, growing consumer interest in natural and holistic health has opened doors for TCM—but regulatory and cultural adaptation are key. Many countries still classify TCM remedies as “health supplements” or over-the-counter herbal products rather than formal medicines, which means they are often sold in health shops or e-commerce platforms with limited medical claims. For example, in the European Union, stringent regulations require traditional herbal products to be registered and proven safe (if not efficacious) before marketing; thus, Chinese patent medicines might be sold as dietary supplements with careful labeling. By contrast, countries like Russia, Vietnam, and Australia permit certain TCM products to be sold as medicines, reflecting closer cultural ties with Asian medicine. These discrepancies underscore the need for a savvy global strategy—one that can navigate the patchwork of international regulations and tailor messaging accordingly.
In the United States, interest in acupuncture and herbal medicine has moved steadily into the mainstream. Acupuncture is now licensed in most U.S. states and even covered by some insurance plans for pain management or post-chemotherapy nausea. Major academic hospitals (from the Mayo Clinic to UCLA) have integrative medicine centers where TCM practitioners work alongside MDs. However, challenges remain in educating Western physicians and consumers; this is where the “people” and “professionalism” aspects of Xiuli Chen’s 10P model come into play. Public outreach – success stories, user reviews, community workshops – can increase patient-driven demand, while scientific research and endorsements by doctors are vital to overcome skepticism. The global TCM branding research team found evidence of both factors: in the U.S., user engagement (ratings, anecdotes) significantly boosts perceived value of TCM products, whereas in Europe (Denmark as a case study), expert credibility carries more weight in driving acceptance. Armed with such intelligence, policymakers and industry leaders can craft targeted campaigns – for instance, launching professional TCM training programs in Europe to build local expertise, while in the U.S. focusing on patient success narratives and integrating TCM options into wellness apps used by millions.
The Middle East is another frontier. In Gulf countries like Qatar, TCM has made initial inroads, primarily through acupuncture. Notably, Qatar incorporated acupuncture into its national healthcare system in 2016, a milestone for the region. This was facilitated in part by Qatar’s broader goals (Qatar National Vision 2030) and its partnerships under China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which have fostered cultural and medical exchanges. Still, as a 2020 assessment in the International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine pointed out, Qatar lacks local TCM education and faces competition from other traditional therapies (like Ayurveda from the Indian community). The report suggests that Qatar focus on expanding its Chinese medicine market, promoting scientific cooperation, encouraging cultivation of medicinal herbs locally, and securing supportive policies for TCM trade services. This blueprint could apply equally to other regions where TCM is nascent. It highlights that, beyond healing, TCM can be part of economic and diplomatic strategy—for example, encouraging local herbal farming could create jobs and reduce import costs. At the same time, scientific collaboration with China or Korea on medicinal research can strengthen bilateral ties. As Gulf states invest heavily in healthcare innovation, showcasing TCM’s value could align with their plans to become medical hubs. We see already a handful of TCM clinics in Dubai and Doha, and interest in herbal nutraceuticals among wellness-conscious consumers. Policy makers in regions like the Middle East, as well as in the U.S. and Europe, can intelligently integrate TCM into their health systems, customizing the approach to local needs and norms.
Strategic Outlook: Bridging Heritage and Innovation
Traditional medicine’s growing global profile is more than a cultural phenomenon – it has strategic implications for health policy, trade, and diplomacy. As countries seek sustainable healthcare models, integrative medicine (combining the best of traditional and modern practices) is emerging as a key strategy for “health for all.” This is where global strategy and intelligence studies, such as those at Hanyang University, play an important role. Their work offers several key takeaways for policy makers and industry leaders: (1) Back tradition with science and data – investing in clinical trials, pharmacological research, and data analysis of patient outcomes will provide the evidence base needed to legitimize TCM in new markets. (2) Leverage soft power and collaboration – China and Korea’s experience shows that government support and international cooperation (through bodies like APEC, WHO, etc.) can accelerate acceptance of traditional medicine; sharing best practices and standardizing safety/quality can build trust across countries. (3) Adapt to local contexts – global intelligence means understanding cultural preferences and regulatory environments: whether it’s emphasizing low cost and self-care aspects of TCM in developing countries, or highlighting high-tech integrative hospitals to tech-savvy nations, tailor the message to resonate with local values.
At APEC 2025, the forum in Seoul gathers not only economic leaders but also health ministers, business executives, and academics from the U.S., China, Korea, Australia, Japan, Southeast Asia, and beyond. Under the banner of building a sustainable, healthy future, Traditional Medicine can be promoted as a shared regional asset – part of Asia-Pacific’s contribution to global well-being. By comparing notes on Chinese and Korean TCM systems, APEC members can identify policies that enable the safe and effective use of traditional remedies (for instance, how insurance coverage in Korea improved public access to acupuncture, or how China’s regulation of raw herb quality could be replicated elsewhere). They can also address challenges such as ensuring the ethical sourcing of herbal ingredients, preventing the illicit trade in endangered species, and guarding against misinformation or unproven claims – issues best tackled through collective intelligence and agreement on standards.
In the bigger picture, integrating TCM is aligned with a global shift toward preventive, personalized healthcare. Western medicine excels in acute and emergency care, but struggles with chronic conditions and lifestyle-related diseases where long-term behavior and holistic balance matter. This is precisely TCM’s forte – and the reason it’s increasingly seen not as “alternative” but as complementary medicine. The European Union and the United States have initiated research grants into complementary medicine for pain and aging; Qatar and its neighbors are diversifying their healthcare offerings to attract medical tourism (imagine wellness centers that offer both spa-like TCM therapies and conventional treatments). In this sense, TCM’s spread is as much an economic opportunity as it is a healthcare initiative. It opens new markets for herbal products and services (the global TCM market was already substantial and growing pre-2020), and it creates a platform for cultural exchange and public diplomacy. China’s Belt and Road has included TCM clinics in partner countries as part of a “Health Silk Road,” and Korea’s international development programs have occasionally shared Korean medicine expertise. These efforts, if guided by strategic intelligence, can yield mutual benefits: improved healthcare options for the global population and strengthened ties for Asia with the world.
Cross-Border Traditional Medicine
Across the Asia-Pacific, rapidly aging populations are challenging healthcare systems to deliver preventive, long-term, and holistic care. APEC’s 2025 High-Level Meeting on Health & Economy (hosted in Seoul) explicitly identified healthy aging as a priority, alongside digital innovation. Ministers agreed that managing demographic change will require “strengthening health system resilience through digital technologies, innovation, and healthy aging policies”. Traditional medicine can be a strategic asset in this context: it brings centuries of insights on chronic disease management, rehabilitation, and wellness in older adults. For instance, TCM and Korean medicine offer personalized, preventive care (e.g. herbal tonics to improve vitality, acupuncture for pain and mobility, mind-body exercises like tai chi or qigong for balance) that align with healthy aging goals.
Importantly, APEC provides a platform for cross-border deployment of traditional-medicine-informed services. Member economies span both the sources and consumers of TCM/KTM – from China, Korea, and Japan (with their Kampo system) to Southeast Asian nations with their own traditional practices, and Western economies like the US, Canada, and Australia, where complementary medicine use is rising. APEC’s Healthy Aging Collaborative could facilitate pilot programs that integrate traditional therapies into community health for seniors. For example, an APEC city in East Asia might partner with one in North America to exchange knowledge on an acupuncture-for-arthritis program, sharing protocols and outcomes data. The inclusion of traditional medicine diagnoses in WHO’s new ICD-11 supports this: as of 2022, ICD-11 features a chapter (Module 1) for traditional medicine conditions, enabling practitioners to code traditional diagnoses alongside Western ones. This means an elderly patient’s “Kidney Qi deficiency” (a TCM frailty-related diagnosis) can be recorded in international health records alongside sarcopenia or diabetes codes, making TM services visible and countable across borders. The WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy (2014–2023) had already urged member states to integrate traditional and complementary medicine into their health systems, and a new 2025–2034 strategy is being shaped with input from APEC members. By aligning with these frameworks, city-level health planners can justify adding TCM/KTM programs as part of age-friendly initiatives.
Healthy aging also resonates with cultural preferences. Many older adults in APEC economies trust traditional remedies – nearly all APEC members report significant usage of TM by seniors for chronic pain, insomnia, or digestive issues. In China, over 75% of patients with chronic conditions have used TCM alongside biomedical care. In Korea, integrative geriatric clinics are emerging where MDs and KMDs co-manage hypertension or dementia. APEC can harness this by establishing cross-border “traditional medicine” partnerships —for instance, joint research on using herbal medicine for dementia care (leveraging both Chinese and Korean pharmacopeias), or the exchange of best practices on licensing and training (as seen in the UAE-Korea example). Such cooperation not only improves care for the elderly but also creates economic opportunities – e.g., developing TCM-based wellness tourism packages for retirees, or exporting certified herbal products for senior nutrition.
Geospatial analysis can also track cross-border patient flows (medical tourism patterns, diaspora communities seeking familiar therapies) to target service deployment. In sum, APEC’s focus on healthy aging provides a political and economic rationale to pilot city-level traditional medicine services that are evidence-informed, digitally enabled, and culturally attuned.
Designing City-Level Services with TCM: Care Bundles and Integration
Translating traditional medicine from theory to practice requires concrete service design. One promising approach is to develop TCM-based “care bundles” for specific health needs—standardized sets of interventions that can be procured and implemented by city health authorities. Care bundles are standard in modern hospitals (e.g. a post-surgery infection prevention bundle), and here we adapt the concept to TCM for public health. Examples might include:
- Wound Care Bundle (TCM-Augmented): Combining modern wound management with TCM therapies. For instance, a city clinic could use standard dressings, TCM herbal compresses or ointments (many Chinese herbal formulations have antimicrobial and healing properties), plus TCM herbal compresses or ointments (many Chinese herbal formulations have antimicrobial and healing properties), plus acupuncture or moxibustion to improve local circulation. This bundle would target chronic wounds or diabetic ulcers, which are common among the elderly. It can be delivered jointly by a nurse and a TCM practitioner, and outcomes such as healing time and infection rates can be measured. Importantly, it can be audited using data to document “ulcer of the foot” alongside a traditional syndrome code, noting the interventions used. Early trials in East Asia have indicated that TCM dressings can improve healing in diabetic foot ulcers; packaging this into a city service could reduce hospitalizations.
- Frailty and Falls Prevention Bundle: A preventive care bundle for community-dwelling seniors. This might include a weekly tai chi exercise class (to improve balance and strength), a nutritional supplement of herbal tonics (for example, a ginseng-based formula under proper quality control), periodic acupuncture sessions for pain management, and educational workshops on diet in accordance with TCM principles. A city could offer this program at senior centers. It addresses frailty holistically – physical, mental, and social aspects – and can be scaled. To ensure compliance and auditability, each component would adhere to guidelines (e.g., certified tai chi instructors, compliant and auditable, and herbs that meet safety standards). Outcomes such as fall rates, mobility scores, and participants’ self-reported quality of life can be tracked and compared with those in neighborhoods without the program.
- Rehabilitation Bundle (Integrative): Many APEC cities face rising stroke and orthopedic cases. A rehab bundle could integrate acupuncture and herbal medicine into post-stroke rehabilitation. In practice, a rehab center can employ acupuncturists to work alongside physiotherapists – acupuncture can be offered to improve limb spasticity or aid swallowing. At the same time, herbal medicines like Korean Bojoongikgi-tang or Chinese Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang may be given (in regulated doses) to enhance recovery. Such a bundle should be delivered under medical supervision (possibly co-managed by a neurologist and a KMD/TCM doctor). The service design includes patient consent, clear inclusion criteria (e.g. subacute stroke patients), and rigorous documentation of outcomes (motor function improvements, rehospitalization rates). By structuring it as a purchasable service unit, a city hospital or insurer can contract this bundle knowing it has defined protocols and an evidence base.
Each care bundle must be compliant, auditable, and exportable. Compliant means it meets regulatory requirements—for example, if herbs are used, they comply with national pharmacopeia standards and any import rules; if practitioners from another tradition are working, they are appropriately licensed locally (as was the case when Abu Dhabi licensed Korean medicine doctors). Auditable means the bundle’s processes and outcomes are transparent: there are treatment records, outcome metrics, and perhaps even digital tracking (where digital health tools can assist, e.g., an app that logs acupuncture sessions and patient pain scores). Being auditable builds trust among skeptical stakeholders and allows continuous improvement. Exportable implies the bundle is standardized enough to be adopted in another city or country with minimal modification—essentially creating a “franchise” model for traditional medicine services. Exportability comes from having clear protocols and documented results. For instance, Seoul’s frailty bundle could be shared with Singapore or San Francisco, which could adapt it to local herbs or preferences while keeping the core elements intact, as evidence suggests. The goal is not to pit traditional medicine against modern medicine, but to intelligently integrate them for the benefit of all. A senior official at an APEC forum might take away that supporting an acupuncture training program or a TCM research center in their country could pay dividends in public health. A healthcare CEO might see market potential in herbal supplement lines or TCM-based wellness services. An academic might be inspired further to study the comparative outcomes of herbal versus pharmaceutical interventions. The promotion of TCM in APAC and globally is thus evolving from anecdote to strategy. This development promises to enrich global healthcare, foster cross-cultural understanding, and illustrate the power of combining global intelligence with traditional insight.