Objective: To examine differences in the utilization of spiritual healing therapy or prayer among US adults by race and ethnicity. Methods: We analyzed data from the 1999 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) conducted among the noninstitutionalized civilian US population. During face-to-face interviews, a probability sample of 30, 801 people aged >18 were asked to indicate (from a list) their use of 13 forms of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the previous year, including both practitioner-administered and self-administered. Results: Spiritual healing or prayer was the most commonly used CAM (14.0%, 95% confidence interval=13.0-14.2%). The utilization rate of spiritual healing or prayer was highest among Non-Hispanic Blacks (17.0%), followed by Non-Hispanic Whites (14.0%), people with other racial/ethnic backgrounds (11.8%), and Hispanics (8.2%) (P<.001). This racial/ethnic disparity remained similar when stratified by sex and region of the country. The same use pattern was also found among people with an annual income >$20,000, an educational level >12 years, and aged <55 years. Interestingly, for people who have lower annual income, less education, or aged >55 years, Blacks and Whites were equally likely to use spiritual healing or prayer, although their usage rates were significantly higher than Hispanics and people with other racial/ethnic backgrounds. Among the groups studied, the group with the greatest overall use was Blacks with educational levels >16 years (22.6%). Conclusion: Our study indicates there is racial/ethnic disparity in the use of spiritual healing or prayer, a form of CAM used most frequently by more educated Blacks.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.