Perceived Benefits of Using Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Race/Ethnicity Among Midlife and Older Adults in the United States. (September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Johnson, Pamela Jo; Jou, Judy; Rockwood, Todd H.; Upchurch, Dawn M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of aging and health. Volume 31:Number 8(2019)
• Page Start: 1376
• Page End: 1397
• Publication Date: 2019-09
• Subjects: complementary therapies -- healthy aging -- midlife -- race/ethnicity -- well-being; Older people -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1177/0898264318780023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0898-2643

Abstract

Objective: To describe, for a national sample of midlife and older adults, the types of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) used for health and wellness and the perceived benefits of CAM use by race/ethnicity.Method: Using data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey, we ran multiple logistic regression models to estimate the odds of each perceived benefit among adults ages 50 and older.Results: More than 38% of midlife and older adults used CAM in the past year. For six of seven perceived benefits examined, we found significant differences by race/ethnicity, with each group having higher odds of two or more perceived benefits compared with non-Hispanic Whites.Discussion: Although racial/ethnic minority groups are less likely to use CAM compared with non-Hispanic Whites, those who use CAM perceive great benefit. Future research should examine the potential contribution of evidence-based CAM to promoting health and well-being in a diverse aging population.