A comprehensive overview of recent advancements and educational guides
The World Health Organization (WHO) actively addresses various aspects of medicine, pharmacy, traditional medicine, nursing, and odonto-stomatology through its initiatives and strategies. While Hopkins Medicine focuses on conventional Western medicine, WHO encompasses a broader scope, particularly emphasizing Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM).
TCIM refers to healthcare systems, practices, and knowledge that pre-date biomedicine, often nature-based and holistic. Complementary medicine is used in addition to mainstream medicine, while integrative medicine combines biomedical and TCIM evidence-based approaches. TCIM is widely utilized, with 40-99% of populations in 67% of responding countries using it according to a 2019 WHO report.
WHO’s Strategy 2025–2034 aims for universal access to people-centered TCIM. This strategy focuses on strengthening the evidence base, ensuring safe and effective provision through regulatory mechanisms, and promoting its integration into health systems in an evidence-based and culturally respectful manner. It’s noteworthy that approximately 40% of pharmaceuticals derive from nature/traditional knowledge (e.g., aspirin, artemisinin).
The WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC), established in India in 2022, serves as a knowledge hub for research, health systems, sustainability, equity, and innovation. The WHO also supports countries in ensuring safe and effective TCIM use through guidelines, technical documents, and pharmacovigilance tools, and enhances international regulatory cooperation on herbal medicines.
WHO Summit & Global Library
The Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine held in New Delhi, India (December 2025), concluded with the Delhi Declaration, signed by 26 Member States. This commitment aims to integrate traditional medicine into primary healthcare, bolster regulation and safety standards, invest in research, and build interoperable data systems.
A significant outcome was the launch of the Traditional Medicine Global Library, a digital platform consolidating 1.6 million resources, including scientific studies and Indigenous knowledge. It features tools like Evidence Gap Maps and TMGL GPT (an AI tool).
The WHO emphasizes that traditional medicine is the primary source of care for 40-90% of populations in roughly 90% of Member States, yet it receives less than 1% of global health research funding. The organization’s goal is to unite traditional wisdom with modern science (AI, genomics) to unlock safer and more sustainable health solutions. Many modern drugs, like aspirin and artemisinin, originate from traditional medicine.
Note: While various medical news outlets were searched, direct WHO news for specific categories (medicine, pharmacy, nursing, odonto-stomatology) was not found from `who.int` as requested.
Johns Hopkins Medicine: Recent Developments
Recent medical news from Johns Hopkins Medicine highlights several key developments:
- Targeted T-Cell Cancer Therapy: A new antibody-drug conjugate targeting TRBC2-positive T-cell cancers was published on December 22, 2025, building on earlier work for TRBC1.
- HIV Research: A federal trial suggests that knowing an HIV “viral load” does not improve treatment-seeking behavior. Separately, a dramatic drop in HIV cells was observed post-cancer treatment.
- New Associate Chief Medical Officer: Kavita Sharma, MD, was appointed effective January 6, 2026. She directs the Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplantation Program and the HFpEF Program, which achieved record transplant volumes in 2024-2025.
- Cell-Free DNA for Immunotherapy: Research (December 10, 2025) indicates its potential use for detecting immunotherapy adverse events.
- Newborn Brain Injury Research: A newborn at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center is contributing to research aimed at future patients (December 8, 2025).
- Unique Benign Tumor Identification: Researchers defined a unique soft tissue benign tumor with a bony shell, which may have previously been mistaken as malignant (December 3, 2025).
Further information is available via news releases, e-newsletters, publications, and podcasts on the Johns Hopkins Medicine website.
Detailed Language Learning Guide
Vocabulary Table
| WORDS/PHRASES | TRANSCRIPTION AND WORD FORMS | ENGLISH MEANING | VIETNAMESE EQUIVALENT | EXAMPLE SENTENCE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| encompasses a broader scope | /ɪnˈkʌmpəsɪz ə ˈbrɔːdər skoʊp/ (verb + noun phrase) | Includes or covers a wider range of subjects or activities. | bao quát phạm vi rộng hơn | While Hopkins Medicine focuses on conventional Western medicine, WHO encompasses a broader scope. |
| traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) | /trəˈdɪʃənl, ˌkɒmplɪˈmɛntəri, ænd ˈɪntɪˌɡreɪtɪv ˈmɛdsɪn/ (adjectives + noun) | Healthcare practices and systems outside conventional Western medicine, often combined with it. | y học cổ truyền, bổ sung và tích hợp (TCIM) | WHO encompasses a broader scope, particularly emphasizing traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM). |
| pre-date biomedicine | /priːˈdeɪt ˌbaɪoʊˈmɛdsɪn/ (verb + noun) | Exist or occur earlier than modern conventional medicine. | có trước y sinh học | Traditional medicine refers to healthcare systems that pre-date biomedicine. |
| holistic approaches | /həˈlɪstɪk əˈproʊtʃɪz/ (adjective + noun) | Methods of treatment that consider the whole person (mind, body, spirit) rather than just the symptoms. | các phương pháp tiếp cận toàn diện | It often emphasizes nature-based remedies and holistic approaches to balance mind, body, and environment. |
| interdisciplinary, evidence-based approach | /ˌɪntərˈdɪsɪplɪnəri, ˈɛvɪdəns beɪst əˈproʊtʃ/ (adjectives + noun) | A method combining multiple fields of study, supported by scientific proof. | phương pháp tiếp cận liên ngành, dựa trên bằng chứng | Integrative medicine combines biomedical and TCIM knowledge in an interdisciplinary, evidence-based approach. |
| strengthening the evidence base | /ˈstrɛŋθənɪŋ ðɪ ˈɛvɪdəns beɪs/ (gerund phrase) | Improving the collection and quality of scientific data or proof. | tăng cường cơ sở bằng chứng | This strategy focuses on strengthening the evidence base for TCIM. |
| regulatory mechanisms | /ˈrɛɡjələˌtɔːri ˈmɛkənɪzəmz/ (adjective + noun) | Systems or processes put in place to control or supervise an industry or activity. | các cơ chế quản lý | It ensures safe and effective provision through regulatory mechanisms. |
| integration into health systems | /ˌɪntɪˈɡreɪʃn ˈɪntuː hɛlθ ˈsɪstəmz/ (noun phrase) | The process of incorporating something into the existing healthcare infrastructure. | tích hợp vào hệ thống y tế | Promoting its integration into health systems in an evidence-based and culturally respectful manner. |
| significant developments | /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt dɪˈvɛləpmənts/ (adjective + noun) | Important new changes or advancements. | những phát triển đáng kể | The WHO has recently focused on advancing traditional medicine, with significant developments announced. |
| bolster regulation and safety standards | /ˈboʊlstər ˌrɛɡjəˈleɪʃn ænd ˈseɪfti ˈstændərdz/ (verb phrase) | To strengthen or improve existing rules and measures for safety. | tăng cường quy định và tiêu chuẩn an toàn | This commitment aims to bolster regulation and safety standards. |
| interoperable data systems | /ˌɪntərˈɒpərəbl ˈdeɪtə ˈsɪstəmz/ (adjective + noun) | Computer systems that can work together and exchange information efficiently. | hệ thống dữ liệu tương tác | Countries aim to build interoperable data systems to track outcomes. |
| Indigenous knowledge | /ɪnˈdɪdʒɪnəs ˈnɒlɪdʒ/ (adjective + noun) | Traditional understanding, skills, and practices of a particular native people. | kiến thức bản địa | The Traditional Medicine Global Library includes scientific studies and Indigenous knowledge. |
| unlock safer and more sustainable health solutions | /ʌnˈlɒk ˈseɪfər ænd mɔː səˈsteɪnəbl hɛlθ səˈluːʃənz/ (verb phrase) | To discover or make available health-related answers that are less risky and environmentally friendly. | mở khóa các giải pháp y tế an toàn và bền vững hơn | The WHO works to unite traditional wisdom with modern science to unlock safer and more sustainable health solutions. |
| targeted T-cell cancer therapy | /ˈtɑːrɡɪtɪd tiː-sɛl ˈkænsər ˈθɛrəpi/ (adjective + compound noun) | A medical treatment that specifically aims at T-cells (a type of immune cell) involved in cancer. | liệu pháp ung thư tế bào T nhắm mục tiêu | Researchers have developed a new treatment that selectively targets TRBC2-positive T-cell cancers. |
| antibody-drug conjugate | /ˈæntɪˌbɒdi-drʌɡ ˈkɒndʒʊɡət/ (compound noun) | A biopharmaceutical drug consisting of an antibody linked to a biologically active drug. | thuốc liên hợp kháng thể-dược phẩm | The therapy, an antibody-drug conjugate, targets a protein on the surface of T-cell cancers. |
| viral load | /ˈvaɪrəl loʊd/ (noun phrase) | The quantity of virus in a given volume of fluid (e.g., blood). | tải lượng virus | Knowing an HIV “viral load” does not improve the number of patients seeking treatment. |
| adverse events | /ˈædvɜːrs ɪˈvɛnts/ (adjective + noun) | Unintended and undesirable effects of a drug or medical treatment. | các biến cố bất lợi | Cell-free DNA could be used to detect adverse events from immunotherapy. |
| benign tumor | /bɪˈnaɪn ˈtuːmər/ (adjective + noun) | A non-cancerous growth of cells that does not spread to other parts of the body. | khối u lành tính | Researchers have defined a unique, soft tissue benign tumor with a bony shell. |
| mistaken as malignant | /mɪˈsteɪkən æz məˈlɪɡnənt/ (past participle + prepositional phrase) | Incorrectly identified as cancerous (a tumor that can spread). | bị nhầm là ác tính | A benign tumor may have previously been mistaken as malignant. |
| pharmacovigilance | /ˌfɑːrməkoʊˈvɪdʒɪləns/ (noun) | The science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding, and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug-related problem. | dược cảnh giác | The WHO develops tools for regulatory mechanisms and pharmacovigilance. |
Key Phrases and Grammatical Structures
- “X actively addresses Y through its initiatives and strategies.”
- Structure: Subject (organization) + adverb (actively) + verb (addresses) + object (various aspects) + prepositional phrase (through its means).
- Benefit: Useful for describing organizational actions and the methods used.
- Example: “The WHO actively addresses various aspects of medicine, pharmacy, traditional medicine, nursing, and odonto-stomatology through its initiatives and strategies.”
- “While X focuses on Y, Z encompasses a broader scope, particularly emphasizing…”
- Structure: Contrastive clause (“While X…”) + main clause (Z encompasses…) + participle phrase (emphasizing…).
- Benefit: Excellent for comparing and contrasting different entities or approaches, and for adding specific details.
- Example: “While Hopkins Medicine focuses on conventional Western medicine, WHO encompasses a broader scope, particularly emphasizing traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM).”
- “X refers to Y that pre-date Z, evolving from historical and cultural contexts.”
- Structure: Definition (X refers to Y) + relative clause (that pre-date Z) + participle phrase (evolving from…).
- Benefit: Standard way to define terms, provide historical context, and describe origins.
- Example: “Traditional medicine refers to healthcare systems, practices… that pre-date biomedicine, evolving from historical and cultural contexts.”
- “…ensuring safe and effective provision through regulatory mechanisms, and promoting its integration into health systems in an evidence-based and culturally respectful manner.”
- Structure: Parallel structure of gerunds (“ensuring X, and promoting Y”) + adverbial phrases detailing how and in what manner.
- Benefit: Shows how multiple actions or goals are pursued simultaneously, often with specific conditions or methods.
- Example: (Used in the text) – Demonstrates parallel objectives.
- “This commitment aims to integrate X, bolster Y, invest in Z, and build A…”
- Structure: Noun phrase (This commitment) + verb (aims to) + series of parallel infinitive verbs + objects.
- Benefit: Ideal for outlining multiple goals or actions stemming from a single decision or policy.
- Example: “This commitment from 26 Member States aims to integrate traditional medicine into primary healthcare, bolster regulation and safety standards, invest in research, and build interoperable data systems to track outcomes.”
- “The WHO emphasizes that X, encompassing practices like Y, is the primary source of care for Z%…”
- Structure: Reporting verb (“emphasizes”) + ‘that’ clause + participle phrase (encompassing practices like Y) providing an example or clarification.
- Benefit: Used to report important statements, incorporate examples, and provide statistical context.
- Example: “The WHO emphasizes that traditional medicine, encompassing practices like Ayurveda and Chinese medicine, is the primary source of care for 40% to 90% of the population…”
- “X has significantly contributed to Y, with Z drawing from A and B.”
- Structure: Subject (X) + present perfect verb (has contributed) + object (Y) + prepositional phrase (with Z drawing from A and B) to explain the source or basis of Z.
- Benefit: Expresses past actions with current relevance and shows the origin or influence.
- Example: “Traditional medicine has significantly contributed to modern scientific breakthroughs, with approximately 40% of current pharmaceutical products drawing from nature and traditional knowledge.”
- “Researchers have developed a new treatment that selectively targets X.”
- Structure: Subject (Researchers) + present perfect (have developed) + object (new treatment) + relative clause (that selectively targets X).
- Benefit: Common in scientific reporting to announce recent discoveries or inventions and describe their specific function.
- Example: “Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center’s Ludwig Center have developed a new treatment that selectively targets TRBC2-positive T-cell cancers.”
- “A federally funded clinical trial suggests that knowing X does not improve Y.”
- Structure: Subject (clinical trial) + verb (suggests) + ‘that’ clause (knowing X does not improve Y).
- Benefit: Used to report findings or conclusions from research.
- Example: “A federally funded clinical trial suggests that knowing an HIV ‘viral load’ does not improve the number of patients seeking treatment.”
- “…may have previously been mistaken as malignant…”
- Structure: Modal verb (may) + perfect infinitive (have been mistaken) + passive voice + adverb (previously).
- Benefit: Expresses possibility or uncertainty about a past event, often a misidentification or error.
- Example: “…a unique, soft tissue benign tumor with a bony shell that may have previously been mistaken as malignant…”
Translation Theory Analysis
The objective of this analysis is to achieve an accurate and fluent Vietnamese translation for medical news within a language learning context. Several key translation theories are applied to ensure both precision and pedagogical effectiveness.
- Skopos Theory (Purpose-Oriented Translation):
- Purpose: To inform readers about medical advancements and provide a robust language learning resource.
- Implication: Prioritizes communicative function. This requires ensuring medical concepts are clearly understood and that the translated language for learning is idiomatic and grammatically correct in Vietnamese. Sentence restructuring and selecting natural Vietnamese equivalents are essential for this purpose.
- Equivalence Theory (Dynamic/Functional vs. Formal):
- Formal Equivalence: Crucial for specialized medical terms (e.g., “antibody-drug conjugate,” “pharmacovigilance,” “benign/malignant tumor,” “interoperable data systems”). Established Hán-Việt terms, calques, or descriptive phrases are used to maintain precision.
- Dynamic/Functional Equivalence: Preferred for general descriptive language, verbs, and connectives. The aim is natural Vietnamese phrasing (e.g., “bao quát phạm vi rộng hơn” for “encompasses a broader scope,” “tăng cường quy định” for “bolster regulation”).
- Translation of Medical Terminology and Jargon:
- Challenge: The high volume of specialized terms in medical news.
- Strategy: Involves consulting medical glossaries/databases (such as WHO Vietnamese documents), contextualizing meanings, and translating full names of acronyms before their initial use.
- Handling Sentence Structure and Syntax:
- Challenge: English medical news often employs long, complex sentences, passive voice, and nominalizations.
- Strategy: Break down complex sentences, use active voice or alternative phrasing where more natural in Vietnamese, convert nominalizations back to verb phrases if more fluent, and adjust word order to match Vietnamese syntax.
- Cultural Considerations (Domestication vs. Foreignization):
- Application: Domestication is used for general medical concepts to ensure broad understanding, while foreignization is applied for specific entities (e.g., “Hopkins Medicine”).
- Implication: The presentation should be culturally sensitive. Concepts such as “holistic approaches” resonate well with Eastern philosophies and are easily translatable, enhancing the learning experience.
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