EUJIM special issue on Integrative Medicine and Planetary Health
Planetary health is the health of human civilization and the health of the natural systems that support it. We believe integrative medicine could play an important role in improving planetary health, through reducing the ecological impact of healthcare, encouraging more sustainable societal and individual behaviours and attitudes, and helping with adaptation and resilience in the face of the climate and biodiversity crises. There is also much that integrative medicine practice and research could do to become more sustainable and less ecologically impactful.
Integrative medicine aims to treat the whole person and emphasises the connections between systems and the environment – a holistic and preventative view which can help to reduce the environmental burden of ill health and treatment.
We are delighted to be editing this special issue of EuJIM to bring together the current research and thinking around how integrative medicine can improve planetary health.
Scope
The focus of this special issue is on the relationship between integrative medicine (IM) and planetary health, including the environmental impact and sustainability of IM healthcare and research, the synergy between underlying concepts of IM and planetary health, and how IM can encourage adaptation to climate change and a healthier planet.
Here are some examples of suitable topics:
- The relationship between concepts underlying integrative approaches and the shift needed in society and individuals to ecological consciousness.
- How IM can provide people with a deeper connection to nature, which can improve planetary health
- The sustainability and environmental impact of integrative health care and research activities, for example sourcing herbal medicines in a sustainable way, or reducing the carbon footprint of an IM research study.
- Comparisons between the impact of integrative and conventional approaches upon the health of the planet.
- How IM can help deal with the impacts of climate change on human health, and promote adaptation to our changing world.
What do we mean by integrative medicine (IM)?
We are interested in research on a broad range of traditional, complementary and integrative approaches to health, including but not limited to traditional medical systems, herbal medicine, nature-based approaches, mind-body techniques, mindfulness, and spirituality.
What do we mean by planetary health?
We are interested in the relationship between integrative medicine and all aspects of the health of the planet. This includes, but is not limited to, the following crises: disruption of the global climate system; widespread pollution of air, water and soil; rapid biodiversity loss; altered biogeochemical cycles; changes in land use and land cover; and, increasing scarcity of vital resources such as fresh water and arable land.
Types of papers
We welcome primary and secondary research for this special issue, including but not limited to: original research, including quantitative and/or qualitative methods, surveys, case studies, etc; systematically conducted literature reviews; or secondary data analysis.
Deadline for submissions: 30th December 2025