A Call to Protect the Nation’s Investment in Integrative, Complementary, and Traditional Health Practice Research

Introduction

The authors of this Viewpoint article—researchers, clinicians, and public health leaders—write to express our deep concern over the proposed elimination of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) in the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Discretionary Budget Request. NCCIH was among 3 National Institutes of Health (NIH) centers or institutes slated for elimination in the White House budget, part of a major proposed restructuring of the primary federal organization that champions and supports biomedical research in the U.S. Though the Senate Committee on Appropriations has recently rejected the proposal, ¹ the fate of NCCIH remains uncertain. Here, we discuss the importance of the NCCIH and the potential consequences of its elimination or diminution.

Over one-third of U.S. adults use integrative, complementary, and/or traditional health practices (ICTHP) each year, representing over $30 billion of annual out-of-pocket healthcare spending.^2,3 Eliminating the NCCIH would have significant consequences for research about ICTHP—areas that are essential to meeting the diverse and evolving health needs of the American public. The authors call on members of Congress and those in the ICTHP professional community to stand in ongoing support of the NCCIH and ICTHP research.

The Need for NCCIH

The NCCIH describes complementary health practices as physical, psychological, and nutritional strategies to support overall well-being and whole-person health. ³ Integrative health refers to the coordinated use of these approaches alongside conventional medical care to improve outcomes and prevent disease. ⁴ Since the landmark Eisenberg study examining integrative and complementary practices in the U.S. over 30 years ago, ⁵ demand for ICTHP to support primary disease prevention, health promotion, and to address acute and chronic conditions has increased.^2,5-7 When used safely, ICTHP empower and support individuals, families, communities, and populations to improve health and prevent further deterioration—particularly when other available treatments fail, and can often be more cost-effective than conventional treatments. For example, prior studies have documented that yoga ⁸ and mindfulness-based stress reduction^9,10 can provide both health benefits and cost savings compared to usual care, particularly for conditions like chronic pain.

Global Support for ICTHP

Since 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) has prioritized supporting the field of traditional medicine globally. WHO recognizes the many benefits of traditional and integrative medicine on patient outcomes, particularly by increasing access to and availability of health care services and primary care. Notably, WHO recognizes that “traditional medicine has become a global phenomenon; the demand is growing, with patients seeking greater agency and ownership of their health and well-being and seeking more compassionate and personalized health care. For millions, especially those living in remote and rural areas, it continues to be the first choice for health and well-being, offering care that is culturally acceptable, available and affordable.” ¹¹

NCCIH Funding Under Threat

Despite growing use and emerging evidence, ICTHP and the NCCIH itself are under threat. The President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Discretionary Budget Request would have eliminated funding for NCCIH, cutting a mere $170 million from the $6.75 trillion federal budget. ¹² This represents just 0.000025% of federal spending, but would have dismantled the epicenter for ICTHP research in the U.S (Figure 1). The proposal claimed that “NIH research would align with the President’s priorities to address chronic disease and other epidemics,” yet ICTHP are vital to managing exactly these concerns, particularly for rural and underserved communities. Chronic pain, as one example, is a leading cause of disability worldwide, and a growing body of research—much of it funded by NCCIH—demonstrates the efficacy of integrative strategies in reducing its burden. ¹³ We applaud the Senate Committee on Appropriations’ bipartisan work on S. 2587, in which it recognizes the need for NCCIH and maintains 2026 funding levels consistent with those of 2025. ¹ Additionally, $5 million is allocated to expand research on non-pharmacologic treatments for pain management and related urgent public health matters, including opioid misuse and abuse.

Figure 1.

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) Funding as a Share of National Institutes of Health (NIH Funding). The NCCIH Budget Represents less than 1% of the Total NIH Budget, and Only 0.000025% of Total Federal Spending

Scientific Leadership and Evidence-Based Practice

Since 1991, when a bipartisan effort established the Office of Alternative Medicine at NIH, the U.S. government has played a pivotal role in stewarding ICTHP research. For over 3 decades, NCCIH has built the evidence base, supported the complementary and integrative health workforce, funded innovation in care delivery, and served as the backbone of the field. NCCIH has led the development of research frameworks and methodological standards that have advanced the rigor of ICTHP studies—moving the field beyond anecdotal claims and into scientifically validated territory where evidence can drive clinical and patient decision making. ³ The Center has prioritized large-scale, multi-site pragmatic trials, encouraged transdisciplinary collaborations, and supported the integration of real-world data, patient-reported outcomes, and implementation science into its research portfolio. Notably, NCCIH has helped establish evidence for non-pharmacological pain management approaches, contributing to national strategies addressing the opioid crisis and improving the health and wellbeing of U.S. military veterans.^14-16 In doing so, it has also enhanced public trust in research that bridges conventional and traditional knowledge systems.

Support for Underserved Communities

Despite its modest budget, NCCIH funds foundational science and applied research that supports whole-person health and addresses the most pressing health challenges of our time. As Locke (2024) notes, this work is key to building a cohesive model that reflects “the synergistic roles of communities, public health, and healthcare.” ¹⁷ NCCIH-supported research is especially important for communities at high risk of chronic disease—including rural, elderly, and tribal populations.

In tribal and Indigenous communities, NCCIH has supported community-engaged research that integrates traditional healing practices with biomedical models to improve outcomes in chronic pain and behavioral health—critical steps in reducing reliance on opioids and honoring Indigenous knowledge systems. ¹⁸ Rural communities have similarly benefited from NCCIH’s investment in studies that promote low-cost, accessible interventions such as mindfulness, physical activity, and group-based care models. For example, NCCIH-supported research has explored the impact of climate-related environmental stressors on older adults in rural areas, examining how extreme weather events impact physical and mental health, as well as access to care. ¹⁹ These projects not only reflect NCCIH’s scientific leadership, but also its commitment to equity and real-world relevance. Weakening NCCIH would jeopardize health equity gains in precisely these settings—at a time when rural hospitals are closing, the elderly face growing mental health burdens, and tribal communities continue to fight for self-determined health systems that reflect their values and lived experiences.

Workforce Development and Research Infrastructure

Over the past several decades, NCCIH has made significant contributions to training the next generation of researchers and clinicians in the field of ICTHP. By funding fellowships, career development awards, and institutional training grants, the Center has helped clinicians and scientists develop the skills needed to conduct high-quality, interdisciplinary research. More recently, NCCIH launched the REACH Virtual Resource Centers initiative, which supports research training at institutions that have historically had fewer connections to NIH funding streams—especially those focused on educating practitioners in acupuncture, chiropractic care, and other integrative approaches. ²⁰

Through these and other programs, NCCIH has worked to broaden the research community, not just by increasing capacity, but by strengthening partnerships across disciplines and institutional types. Beyond formal training grants, the Center has also invested in continuing education and knowledge sharing, offering webinars, online learning modules, and a widely respected Distinguished Lecture Series. These efforts ensure that health professionals stay current on emerging science while supporting a workforce capable of bridging clinical care and rigorous research to the American people.

Unique Role at NIH

It is essential to invest in research to support evidence-based practices. Americans spend over $30 billion out of pocket annually for complementary products and services. ²¹ Without a strong evidence-based approach, we risk adopting clinical treatments which may not be effective, safe, or sustainable, and which may negatively impact patient outcomes. Eliminating NCCIH puts millions of people at greater risk of adopting harmful practices. Rigorous research studies are critical to ensure the highest standards of care to protect the public. While other institutes within NIH have funded research related to ICTHP, and will likely continue to do so, NCCIH has played an invaluable role in strategically developing the field of ICTHP research. NCCIH funds training and education awards at the pre-doctoral, post-doctoral, early career, and mentorship levels to encourage the development of a robust research workforce.

Call to Action

Translational science and evidence-based healthcare practices are crucial to ensuring that research findings inform clinical practices and standards of care, enabling improved patient outcomes and a more efficient, effective, and responsive healthcare system. The wholesale elimination or diminution of NCCIH would undermine the substantial progress that has been made over the last 30 years in promoting evidence-based integrative health and making ICTHP accessible and affordable to the communities who could most benefit from this care. The future of NCCIH is tenuous, and the bill proposed by the Senate Committee on Appropriations, introduced on July 31, 2025, must still pass in the Senate, the House, and ultimately, be signed into law by the President.

Congress Must Act

We call on leaders in Congress, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the NIH to reaffirm and strengthen their commitment to ICTHP research, training, and capacity-building. At a time of growing chronic disease, health inequity, healthcare costs, and public demand for integrative care, the U.S. cannot afford to step backward. The NCCIH must remain a pillar of the NIH research enterprise, helping to ensure that all communities—especially those historically underserved—have access to effective, culturally-responsive, and evidence-informed care.

An Ongoing Need for ICTHP Research Advocacy

Finally, we urge our colleagues in the complementary and integrative health community to advocate for ICTHP research infrastructure. The potential elimination of NCCIH points to opportunities to expand and diversify ICTHP research support through philanthropy, industry, and foundation investments as well as expanded state and federal funding. We encourage ICTHP professionals to advocate to uphold and expand the nation’s public health and research infrastructure through the NIH and NCCIH, so that the science, efficacy, and safety of ICTHP continues to be investigated rigorously.

ORCID iDs

Isabel Roth https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4502-3041

Zoë Harris https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9291-5913

Paula Tomczak https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6745-6872

Amanda Corbett https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5271-5433