On April 1, 2026, China implemented a landmark national standard: Classification and Determination of TCM Constitution. Although designated as a recommended rather than mandatory standard, it represents a major step in modernizing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) by converting traditional constitution theory into a clear, measurable and clinically practical framework. By clarifying the relationship between constitution, disease, and pattern differentiation, the standard strengthens professional credibility, supports research, and enhances patient-centered treatment.
Karen Karp, EdD
Dr. Karen Karp is a professor at Johns Hopkins University and a former longtime distinguished teaching profesor of mathmatics education at the University of Louisville. She is a certified mathematics teacher, certified special-education teacher, and has coauthored numerous books on mathematics, while serving on numerous grant committees and advisory boards over the years.