National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) is a United States government agency that is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is itself a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The NCCIH is dedicated to exploring complementary and integrative health practices in the context of rigorous science, training complementary and integrative health researchers, and disseminating authoritative information to the public and professionals.
History[edit]
The NCCIH was established in 1998 as the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and was renamed in 2014 to reflect its research focus on integrative health. The center was created to address the growing interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and to provide a scientific basis for the use of these practices.
The first director of NCCIH was Stephen E. Straus, who served from 1999 until his death in 2007. Under his leadership, the center expanded its research portfolio and established itself as a leader in the field of CAM research.
Mission and Goals[edit]
The mission of the NCCIH is to define, through rigorous scientific investigation, the usefulness and safety of complementary and integrative health interventions and their roles in improving health and health care. The center's goals include:
- Advancing fundamental science and methods development
- Improving care for hard-to-manage symptoms
- Fostering health promotion and disease prevention
- Enhancing the complementary and integrative health workforce
Research Areas[edit]
NCCIH supports research across a wide range of disciplines and health conditions. Key areas of research include:
- Mind and body practices, such as yoga, meditation, and acupuncture
- Natural products, including herbal supplements and dietary supplements
- Pain management and the role of integrative approaches in managing chronic pain
Leadership[edit]
The current director of NCCIH is Helene Langevin, M.D., who has been leading the center since 2018. Her research interests include the role of connective tissue in chronic pain and the mechanisms of acupuncture.
Previous directors include Josephine P. Briggs, who served from 2008 to 2017, and David Shurtleff, who has served as acting director.
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