The Role of “Preventive Treatment of Disease” from Traditional Chinese Medicine in Public Health Emergencies

Abstract

Objective: To explore the role of "Preventive Treatment of Disease" from Traditional Chinese Medicine in public health emergencies. To narrow the differences between Chinese and Western medicine's prevention and treatment strategies in public health emergencies and to better integrate Chinese medicine's prevention and treatment strategies into the current international healthcare system. Methods: As a narrative review, adopting the research method of literature search and comprehensive analysis, we searched the relevant literature from 2014 to 2024 according to the corresponding key words. The relevant literature was read and useful information was extracted. Results: The role of "Preventive Treatment of Disease" from Traditional Chinese Medicine in public health emergencies is threefold: first, it provides more diversified preventive measures of Chinese medicine for the early prevention and treatment of public health emergencies; second, there are similarities between Chinese and Western medicines in the diagnosis and treatment of public health emergencies, with both attaching great importance to symptomatic treatment and personalized medication; and third, the advantages of TCM's prevention and treatment strategies are reflected in the fact that they focus on constitution identification, dietary adjustments, and emotional regulation. Conclusion: The idea of "Preventive Treatment of Disease" from Traditional Chinese Medicine can indeed play an appropriate role in public health emergencies, and how to incorporate Chinese medicine into the public health framework requires further study and, at the same time, the concerted efforts of policy makers and practitioners of Chinese medicine, and Western medicine.