2007 Statistics on CAM Use in the United States

National Health Interview Survey

According to a nationwide government survey released in December 2008, approximately 38 percent of U.S. adults aged 18 years and over and approximately 12 percent of children use some form of CAM.

CAM is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and
products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine. Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine, and alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. Integrative medicine combines conventional and CAM treatments for which there is evidence of safety and effectiveness.

• Learn More in the Press Release
• The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States
  Fact Sheet
• Download the Report (24 pages, 299 kB PDF)
  The report's citation is Barnes PM, Bloom B, Nahin R. CDC National Health Statistics Report #12. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Adults and Children: United States, 2007. December 10, 2008
• Download Graphics
  Use these figures in news stories or articles about CAM use in the U.S.
• Video Q & A with NCCAM Director Dr. Josephine P. Briggs
  In this 4-minute video, Dr. Briggs discusses current CAM use in the United States.
• NIH Audio File
  Dr. Briggs speaks about the results of the 2007 National Health Interview Survey.
• Publications Using NHIS CAM Data
• NCCAM Image Gallery
  Download photos of CAM practices.