The cost of complementary and alternative medicine

A new report examining the costs of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and visits to CAM practitioners was released by NCHS today, in conjunction with the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, part of the National Institutes of Health. The report estimates that–

• Adults in the U.S. spent $33.9 billion out of pocket on visits to CAM practioners and on CAM products, classes, and material.

 

• In 2007, 38.1 million adults made an estimated 354.2 million visits to CAM practioners.

 

• On average, adults in the U.S. spent $121.92 per person for vists to CAM providers and paid $29.37 out of pocket per visit.

For more from this report, visit www.cdc.gov/nchs.