Use of CAM Driven by Insurance

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the UK and U.S. continues to grow. However, according to research conducted at the Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, a smaller group of dedicated users is responsible for the majority of visits and expenditure.

Researchers found that 44% of the population had used an alternative therapy in the previous year and around 9% visited their practitioner more than 8 times a year.

According to Dr Peter Wolsko, leading the study, those with comprehensive health insurance covering Complementary and Alternative Medicine were likely to visit their practitioner more often. 63% of respondents with full health cover visited a chiropractor or massage therapist regularly, compared to only 17% without insurance.

Women were also more likely to visit their practitioner regularly, as were individuals with back or neck problems, diabetes and cancer.

For more information on covering the costs of health care in the UK, visit www.hsa.co.uk.

Tuesday, 12 March 2002