Video
PAIR Seminar : Chinese Medicines and Geriatric Health – A Research Perspective
Prof. CHE Chun-tao of the University of Illinois Chicago, USA, delivered a PAIR Seminar titled “Chinese Medicines and Geriatric Health – A Research Perspective” on 14 January 2026. The event drew around 90 in-person participants and an online audience of more than 15,850 across various social media platforms.
Prof. Che opened his presentation by addressing the global challenge of an ageing global population. He emphasised that society will face substantial healthcare costs if precautionary measures for ageing are not undertaken. Against this backdrop, Chinese Medicine (CM), grounded in the principles of “preventing illness before it arises” and “nurturing life”, offers a complementary perspective that aligns with modern strategies for healthy ageing and geriatric care.
Prof. Che went on to discuss five areas that CM may benefit geriatric health: supporting cognitive function and brain health, managing pain and mobility issues, strengthening immunity and preventing illness, improving digestive health and nutrient absorption, and managing sleep and emotional well-being. He noted that rigorous research projects, modern technologies, collaborative efforts have demonstrated that herbal formulations, acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, and movement therapies such as Tai Chi and Qigong—when combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle—offer safe and effective ways to help individuals achieve a higher quality of life. He also introduced the audience to some CM herbs that support geriatric health.
In conclusion, Prof. Che affirmed that CM can foster holistic and integrative approaches in preventive and geriatric wellness programmes, highlighting the need for robust evidence-based validation, quality control and safety in herbal and integrative care, while underscoring the importance of integrating both biomedical and traditional models to optimise elderly care.
Event date: 14/1/2026
Speaker: Prof. CHE Chun-tao
Hosted by: PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research
Prof. Che opened his presentation by addressing the global challenge of an ageing global population. He emphasised that society will face substantial healthcare costs if precautionary measures for ageing are not undertaken. Against this backdrop, Chinese Medicine (CM), grounded in the principles of “preventing illness before it arises” and “nurturing life”, offers a complementary perspective that aligns with modern strategies for healthy ageing and geriatric care.
Prof. Che went on to discuss five areas that CM may benefit geriatric health: supporting cognitive function and brain health, managing pain and mobility issues, strengthening immunity and preventing illness, improving digestive health and nutrient absorption, and managing sleep and emotional well-being. He noted that rigorous research projects, modern technologies, collaborative efforts have demonstrated that herbal formulations, acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, and movement therapies such as Tai Chi and Qigong—when combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle—offer safe and effective ways to help individuals achieve a higher quality of life. He also introduced the audience to some CM herbs that support geriatric health.
In conclusion, Prof. Che affirmed that CM can foster holistic and integrative approaches in preventive and geriatric wellness programmes, highlighting the need for robust evidence-based validation, quality control and safety in herbal and integrative care, while underscoring the importance of integrating both biomedical and traditional models to optimise elderly care.
Event date: 14/1/2026
Speaker: Prof. CHE Chun-tao
Hosted by: PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research
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