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Utilization Rates and Factors Associated with Adoption of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Practices in the US
Barbara Nemesure1,2, Chitra Thakur2, Linda Mermelstein2
1Department of Family, Population and Preventive Medicine, Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.
Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine
|July 9, 2026
Summary
Approximately 37% of US adults use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices, with meditation and yoga being most popular. CAM use was linked to younger age, female sex, higher education, and better overall health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices are ancient but underrepresented in conventional Western medicine.
- Limited data exists on the prevalence of CAM usage in the United States.
- Understanding CAM utilization is crucial for healthcare integration and patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the national prevalence of CAM utilization among US adults.
- To identify demographic and health-related factors associated with CAM use.
- To explore the primary motivations for engaging in CAM practices.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of the 2022 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data.
- Inclusion of 27,651 adult respondents.
- Statistical analysis using chi-squared tests and logistic regression models.
Main Results:
- Nearly 37% of US adults reported using at least one CAM practice in the past year.
- Meditation (18%), yoga (15%), chiropractic (11%), and massage (11%) were the most common CAM modalities.
- CAM users were younger, more likely female, highly educated, anxious, and reported better overall health.
Conclusions:
- A significant portion of the US adult population utilizes CAM, primarily for improving overall health.
- CAM engagement is associated with specific demographic factors and perceived health benefits.
- Further research is warranted to understand CAM use barriers, facilitators, and impact on health outcomes.
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