The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #63562

Nancy P Gordon, ScD, Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, Northern California, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94530, 510 891-3587, nancy.gordon@dor.kaiser.org

The extent to which use of different CAM modalities has increased among insured adults was investigated using data from mailed questionnaire surveys of stratified random samples of adult Northern California Kaiser Permanente health plan members conducted in 1996 (n=15,777) and 1999 (n=15,985). Respondent data were weighted to the age-gender composition of the membership. Membership demographics for both years were nearly identical after weighting. Prevalence of use in past 12 months was estimated for 12 CAM modalities listed in both surveys (chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy, herbal supplements, homeopathic medicine, megavitamins, relaxation/meditation/imagery techniques, biofeedback, hypnosis/self-hypnosis, yoga, and tai chi/chi gong). Use of > 1 of these CAM modalities significantly increased from 1996 to 1999 for all adults and each subgroup (All adults: 26.6% to 30.5%; women 20-64, 33.4% to 38.0%; men 20-64, 23.2 % to 26.4%; women > 65, 18.5% to 22.3%; men > 65, 13.3% to 18.0%). However, only herbal supplement use showed a large and statistically significant increase across all subgroups (All adults: 3.6% to 13.3%; women 20-64, 5.2% to 17.5%; men 20-64, 5.2% to 10.5%; women > 65, 1.2% to 9.6%; men > 65, 1.2% to 7.5%). Homeopathic medicine use remained a low 2.4%. Use of chiropractic and massage therapy by people with musculoskeletal pain showed little change, even though > 1/4 of these had gained chiropractic coverage beginning in 1998. Results suggest a modest increase in CAM use from 1996 to 1999, due primarily to higher use of herbals.

Learning Objectives:

After viewing this poster, audience will:
• Be knowledgeable about what types of CAM modalities are most widely used and which are increasing in use among adults in this HMO population
• Become more aware of the difference in assessing CAM use for an overall population and for condition-specific subgroups
• Be more aware of methodological issues in how prevalence of CAM use is assessed across studies and across time

Keywords: Alternative Medicine/Therapies, HMOs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.