P06.17 LB
Purpose: Based on previous health behavior studies, we expected variation in use of individual complementary health approaches by geographic location. This analysis presents geographic comparisons of use of complementary health approaches among U.S. adults ≥18 years, using data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).
Methods: Data from the Adult Complementary and Alternative Medicine supplement of the 2012 NHIS were examined to compare prevalence estimates of complementary health approaches among 9 geographic regions and the top 10 most populous states in the U.S. Differences between regional/state percentages and national averages were evaluated using two-sided significance tests at the 0.05 level. All analyses were conducted using SUDAAN to account for the complex NHIS sample design.
Results: Non-vitamin, non-mineral dietary supplements (NVNMDS) (17.9%), chiropractic and osteopathic manipulation (8.5%), and yoga (8.4%) were the top three approaches used in the U.S. The prevalence of adults who used any of the most popular approaches was consistently higher in the Mountain region and consistently lower in the South Atlantic region when compared to the national average. Adults in Michigan (24.6%) and Ohio (23.3%) were more likely to use NVNMDS. Fewer adults in Florida (6.2%) and Texas (5.9%) saw a practitioner for chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation. A greater proportion of adults in California (11.0%) and Illinois (11.0%) used yoga. Other complementary health approaches commonly used by adults in 2012 included massage (6.8%) and meditation (6.3%).
Conclusion: Prevalence of use of complementary health approaches was consistently higher in the Mountain region compared to the national average. States with the lowest prevalence were in the southern regions.
Contact: Tainya Clarke, TClarke@cdc.gov
