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African Healing Wisdom: From Tradition to Current Application and Research

July 6 - 9, 2005
Washington, DC

This international conference will be convened in Washington D.C. from July 6th
through 9th, 2005 to explore the uniqueness, wealth and complexity of African
traditional medicines, and their potential role in addressing some of the
crucial health challenges of our times. 

The term "traditional medicine" refers to practices and knowledge that existed
before the arrival of modern conventional medicine that were used to promote,
maintain and restore health and well-being. Worldwide, people developed unique
indigenous healing traditions adapted and defined by their culture, beliefs and
environment which satisfied the health needs of communities over centuries. The
World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that up to 80 % of the population in
developing and poor countries use traditional practitioners and medicines for
their primary health care needs. Traditional healers provide culturally
sensitive care and can often offer affordable as well as sustainable solutions
and resources.

With the longest history of healing in the world, African traditional health
knowledge has spread through time, space and cultures maintaining a unique and
distinctive character. For centuries, and even today, these traditional systems
of health continue to provide effective care to the vast majority of people of
Africa, as well as to peoples throughout the Americas and the Caribbean
Region.

Through a comprehensive presentation of national and international case-studies
and examples, this conference will focus on two key questions to evaluate
African traditional healing practices in the context of delivering affordable,
sustainable and culturally-sensitive care:


1. What can African traditional medicines contribute to the prevention and
control of infectious and chronic diseases, and how can such contributions be
validated and enhanced? 

2. What roles can traditional African health knowledge play in addressing issues
of health disparities and equity, both at home and abroad, and how can these
roles be enhanced?

Who Should Attend:

Physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, other allied
health professionals, as well as governmental and non-governmental
health-related organizations interested in integration of health care
modalities, CAM, cultural competency in health care, health equity, and
conservation.

Many sessions are open to and formatted for the general public who is also
welcome to attend.

Conference Objectives:

*	To raise awareness of African traditional medicine systems and the world views
in which they are grounded. 



*	To evaluate the success of existing programs in integrating African
traditional medicine into western health care delivery systems, particularly
for HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB and other infectious and chronic diseases.

*	To promote collaboration between biomedical and African traditional care
providers in research, prevention, care and support for various diseases of
national and global importance. 


*	To review current research on African medicinal plants, remedies and other
alternative/ complementary therapies.

*	To discuss the connection between African health traditions and
African-American alternative medical practices.

For further info visit:
http://www.africanmedicine.info/

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