What is CHIS-CAM?

NCI staff are using data from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) to examine the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in preventing and treating cancer and other chronic illnesses. This study, called CHIS-CAM, is a collaborative effort of NCI and the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. The study was fielded in early 2003 and is one of the largest population-based surveys conducted to date to document use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) services. UCLA and NCI researchers are using data from CHIS-CAM to compare use of CAM services by healthy respondents and those who report a cancer diagnosis or other chronic diseases, and healthy adults. California's population is very diverse, so the study will be able to provide information about how a wide array of racial and ethnic groups incorporate complementary and alternative services into their regular medical care.