Strengthening Natural Medicine Through International Partnership

By Abena Tuson-Turner, ND, MSGH, MSiMR

In October, I had the honor of attending the World Naturopathic Federation (WNF)
General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as one of the U.S. representatives for
the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP). The gathering
brought together naturopathic leaders, educators, and advocates from across the
globe to advance the profession’s collective mission of improving global health
through integrative and evidence-informed care.

Much of our work centered on two key initiatives: Research Capacity Building and
ensuring that the Naturopathic profession remains an active and respected voice
within the global healthcare conversation. As part of the research working group
meeting, we explored strategies to strengthen international research collaboration,
improve access to global data, and support publication of naturopathic outcomes
within the broader scientific literature.

A central topic of discussion was the new World Health Organization
(WHO) Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, which emphasizes the
inclusion of traditional, complementary, and integrative health systems in
achieving universal health coverage. We conversed on the WNF’s ongoing
collaboration with the WHO, the impact of the new WHO TM strategy
report on the Naturopathic Profession, and the importance of ensuring
that naturopathic medicine continues to contribute meaningfully to global
public health goals, policy discussions, and evidence development.

During the Assembly, we also reviewed new data highlighting the global
reach of naturopathic medicine, including:

• A workforce spanning 108+ countries
• More than 110,000 practicing naturopaths and NDs worldwide
• 34 countries with statutory regulation
• Over 130 naturopathic educational programs internationally
• Approximately 5.5 million naturopathic patient visits per month globally

Beyond the formal sessions, I loved the energy and vibrancy of Rio de
Janeiro which added a memorable dimension to the experience. The rich
flavors of Brazilian cuisine, rhythmic Samba on the street, and diverse
culture provided an inspiring backdrop for collaboration and reflection
on the truly global nature of naturopathic medicine today.

The WNF General Assembly reaffirmed the importance of international
cooperation, collaborative research initiatives, and unified advocacy to
ensure that naturopathic medicine continues to thrive as an integral part
of the world’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.