A Fostering Health or Improving Resilience to Infectious Illness Narrative for a Balanced AMR Policy 

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is accelerating worldwide, challenging the effectiveness of modern medicine and placing growing pressure on health systems, agriculture, and ecosystems. EUROCAM proposes a balanced, forward‑looking approach that complements existing AMR strategies with a stronger focus on fostering health and improving resilience to infectious illness. By integrating Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Healthcare (TCIH) within a One Health framework, Europe can strengthen natural defences across people, animals, and the environment reducing reliance on antibiotics while supporting sustainable, patient‑centred, and evidence‑informed healthcare. The key take-aways from EUROCAM's position paper:

• AMR strategies must strengthen resilience across people, animals, and ecosystems and not only target pathogens.

• TCIH helps foster natural defences and reduce antibiotic reliance.

• Integrating TCIH aligns with One Health principles and modern definitions of health as adaptability and wellbeing.

• Europe’s strong TCIH expertise positions it to lead innovation and policy convergence.

• Investment in research, education, and collaboration can unlock new pathways for sustainable healthcare.

Resilience Matters

Antimicrobial resistance is not just about infectious agents, it’s about how people, animals, and ecosystems respond to them. EUROCAM promotes a resilience‑based approach, strengthening natural immunity and adaptive capacity to reduce dependence on antibiotics.

🌍 The One Health Perspective

The WHO and EU’s One Health framework recognizes the interconnection between people, animals, and the environment. EUROCAM expands this vision by promoting health as a shared condition, where improvements in one domain benefit all others.

The Role of TCIH

Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Healthcare (TCIH) enhances natural resilience and supports recovery from infectious illness. Evidence shows that TCIH interventions can reduce antibiotic use while improving overall wellbeing.

European Leadership and Patient Demand

Europe has a rich foundation of TCIH expertise across clinical, academic, and agricultural sectors. With over 25% of Europeans already using TCIH, integrating these modalities into AMR strategies reflects both public demand and scientific opportunity.

Policy and Education

EUROCAM calls for capacity building for policymakers, dedicated funding, and cross‑sector collaboration to responsibly integrate TCIH into AMR frameworks ensuring safety, evidence, and public trust while advancing innovation.

Investing in Health and Resilience

TCIH complements conventional medicine by broadening clinical understanding and enhancing outcomes. Investing in this field supports One Health objectives, strengthens healthcare systems, and contributes to a healthier, more resilient Europe.

➡️ Download the paper to read the full details and references.