Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #105709

Jan L. Wallander, PhD, Sociometrics Corporation, 170 State Street, Suite 260, Los Altos, CA 94022, 650 949 3282, janw@socio.com and Thomas Wells, PhD, Sociometrics Corp., 170 State St, Suite 260, Los Altos, CA 94022-2812.

Although CAM studies increasingly provide information on patterns of CAM use in the general population, a shortage of information on CAM use in racial and ethnic minority populations continues. To enhance the understanding of CAM use by racial and ethnic minority populations, Sociometrics obtained funding from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine to develop the Minority CAM Data Archive (M-CAMDA).

We first conducted a literature search and identified approximately 50 scientifically sound CAM-related studies published in leading medical and health journals. These studies were conducted in the U.S., based on quantitative data, include sufficient sample sizes of at least one U.S. minority group, and were published recently (most were published since 2003).

Study summaries were then prepared for each candidate study and forwarded together with journal reprints to a panel of five nationally recognized CAM expert scientists. In spring 2005, panel members will independently review and evaluate each study according to specified theoretical, methodological, and statistical criteria as well as utility for secondary analysis and importance for CAM science. Based on our previous archiving experience, we anticipate that panel members will rate about 50% of reviewed studies as exemplary and worthy of inclusion in the data archive.

During the summer and fall of 2005, selected studies will be acquired from the original investigators and Sociometrics will begin processing and archiving the data sets. At the APHA conference in November 2005, we will provide descriptions and brief analyses of the data sets acquired for M-CAMDA.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the types of research studies on minority CAM use that have recently been conducted in the U.S.
• Identify the data resources available for analyzing CAM use in racial and ethnic populations.
• Evaluate CAM use prevalence rates for minority groups produced from various studies and data sets.

Keywords: Alternative Medicine/Therapies, Minority Research

Related Web page: www.socio.com

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commertial supporters WITH THE EXCEPTION OF I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session. Relationship: The presenter is an employee of Sociometrics.

Recorded presentation