The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), in collaboration with the American Academy of Yoga and Medicine (AAYM) and India’s Ministry of AYUSH, has announced the inaugural American Conference on Yoga, Ayurveda, and Integrative Therapies for Chronic Diseases and Public Health, to be held May 8–10, 2026, in Memphis, Tennessee.

This event will unite leading clinicians, researchers, educators, and policymakers to explore the growing convergence of traditional sciences and modern medicine in addressing the world’s most urgent public health challenges, according to a statement from AAPI. 

Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, president of AAPI, the largest ethnic physician organization in the United States, emphasized the importance of this initiative, saying, “Ayurveda, the science of life, has provided true health and wellness to millions through simple lifestyle changes. AAPI is honored to collaborate with AAYM and India’s Ministry of AYUSH on this unprecedented event, which will showcase the power of Yoga, Ayurveda, and integrative therapies in combatting chronic diseases.”

Dr. Indranill Basu-Ray, a pioneering cardiologist and leading expert in yoga for cardiovascular health who serves as the key organizer of the conference, noted, “The Memphis conference will be a landmark event, offering a dynamic forum for interdisciplinary dialogue between modern medical science and time-tested holistic approaches. Attendees will benefit from keynote lectures, panel discussions, workshops, and interactive sessions designed to share the latest scientific breakthroughs, best practices, and community health initiatives.”

Chronic diseases continue to dominate global and national health burdens. In the United States, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death, responsible for an estimated 941,652 deaths in 2022, with projections suggesting it will account for nearly one-third of all fatalities by 2025. Economically, CVD costs are staggering—estimated at $100 billion annually and projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2050 as the population ages.

Cancer, the world’s second-leading cause of death, claimed 9.7 million lives in 2022. By 2025, experts project 10.3 million cancer deaths and 20 million new cases globally, including more than 2 million new diagnoses and over 618,000 deaths in the United States. These figures underscore the urgent need for innovative and integrative approaches to prevention, treatment, and recovery.

Ayurveda—one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems, with a heritage spanning more than 5,000 years—is gaining renewed traction across the U.S. Supported by scientific research and a growing number of trained practitioners, Ayurveda promotes wellness through preventive care, detoxification, and balance of body and mind. Its “complete lifestyle package” approach integrates physical activity, meditation, plant-based nutrition, and mindful living, offering an accessible complement to conventional medical care.

Yoga, another ancient Indian discipline now practiced by an estimated 300 million people worldwide, including 50 million Americans, has similarly evolved into a cornerstone of modern integrative medicine. Valued at over $107 billion globally, the yoga industry reflects its mainstream adoption. Research continues to validate yoga’s role in managing hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, and cardiovascular diseases—and increasingly in cancer therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, and stroke recovery programs across leading hospitals.

The conference will focus on developing frameworks for integrating yoga, Ayurveda, and modern medicine into global health systems. Major goals include: Presenting new scientific evidence and official guidelines for integrative healthcare; Offering hands-on workshops and demonstrations on therapeutic applications; Establishing accreditation standards for practitioners comparable to those in allopathic medicine; and Launching the “Textbook of Yoga for Cardiovascular Disease,” a milestone publication underscoring yoga’s clinical relevance to heart health.

The conference is guided by a distinguished leadership team:

• Sutirtha Bhattacharya, CEO – renowned Indian civil servant and expert in energy and infrastructure policy.
• Dr. Indranill Basu-Ray, cardiologist and global authority on yoga-based cardiovascular therapy.
• Dr. B. N. Gangadhar, psychiatrist and eminent researcher in mental health and yoga.
• Dr. Bhushan Patwardhan, biomedical scientist and thought leader in Ayurveda and integrative medicine.
• Dr. Manjunath N. K., noted yoga scientist and researcher.
• Dr. Puneet Misra, specialist in public health and non-communicable diseases.
• Dr. Akshay Anand, neuroscientist advancing yoga’s role in neurodegenerative disease research.
• Dr. Pradeep Nair, Associate Program Director, known for his work on health governance and sustainability.

Together, these experts aim to bridge traditional wisdom with cutting-edge medical science, positioning the 2026 Memphis conference as a global benchmark for integrative healthcare innovation.

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