Recorded presentation

K. Tom Xu, PhD, Division of Health Services Research, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th Street, Room 1C165A, Lubbock, TX 79430, (806)743-6983, Ke.Xu@ttuhsc.edu and Tommie Farrell, MD, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th Street, MS 8143, Lubbock, TX 79430.

Objectives. To describe racial and ethnic differences in the utilization patterns of 12 common types of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and mainstream medicine and to test whether a specific CAM type is a substitute for or a complement to mainstream medicine among 5 racial and ethnic groups in the US.

Methods. The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey in 1996 and 1998 were used. The sample of 46,673 respondents was stratified into non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics, blacks, Asians and other races. Twelve types of CAM visits, visits to office-based and outpatient physicians were used to describe the pattern of CAM and mainstream medicine use. Utilization patterns among each racial and ethnic group were established and compared. Multivariate analyses were conducted to test whether each type of CAM and mainstream medicine were complements or substitutes within a racial and ethnic group, controlling for respondents’ socio-demographics and health.

Results. The proportion of non-Hispanic whites (NHW) who used CAM was 5.12%. The proportions for Hispanics, blacks, Asians and other races were 2.68%, 2.01%, 4.07% and 6.28%, respectively. The proportion of MSM users across the racial and ethnic groups ranged from 55.08% (Hispanic) to 72.52% (NHW). The average numbers of MSM visits ranged from 3.84 (Asian) to 5.27 (NHW) among users. About 1.48% (Hispanic) to 5.59% (Other) used both MSM and CAM. Over half of the population used only MSM. The proportion ranged from 52.97% (Hispanic) to 68.31% (NHW). Approximately 1.23% of Asians used only CAM whereas only 0.57% of Hispanics used only CAM.

Significant inter-group differences in the prevalence rates of using various types of CAM were found. In particular, significant differences in CAM utilization were observed between blacks and any other racial/ethnic groups. The utilization patterns between Asians and other races were similar. More complementary relationships between CAM and physician visits were found in non-Hispanic whites and Asians than in other groups. All significant relationships between CAM and physician visits among Hispanics and other races (predominantly Native American Indians) were substitution.

Conclusions. Complementarity and substitution of CAM and mainstream medicine varied by racial and ethnic groups and by type of CAM. Culturally sensitive approaches are needed in successful integration of CAM in treatment management.

Learning Objectives:

• describe racial and ethnic disparities in the utilization patterns of 12 common types of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and mainstream medicine in the US
• recognize whether a specific CAM type is a substitute for or a complement to mainstream medicine among 5 racial and ethnic groups in the US
• discuss the implications of CAM use among minority groups in practice

Keywords: Health Disparities, Alternative Medicine/Therapies

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.

Recorded presentation