The Escalating Cost and Prevalence of Alternative Medicine

摘要: Background. The purpose of this study was to measure trends in the prevalence and cost alternative medicines practitioner use an Australian population obtain a profile users their beliefs. Methods. In 2000, we repeated 1993 representative survey persons ages 15 years or older living South Australia, which provided 3,027 personal interviews. We assessed rates use, types medicine therapists, costs, beliefs nonusers. Comparisons usage patterns with were also made. Findings. overall at least one nonmedically prescribed (excluding calcium, iron, vitamins) 52.1% (CI / 1.8). Users more likely be female, better educated, have higher income, employed. Since 1993, females using significantly herbal medicines, ginseng, Chinese aromatherapy oils. Many self-prescribed. Among users, 57.2% 1.2) did not tell doctor. 23.3% respondents had visited increasing acupuncturists, reflexologists, aromatherapists, therapists. Most thought safe but they were, should be, subject same standards as medicines. respondents, 92.9% wished product information standard content similar those supplied pharmaceuticals. Interpretation. Extrapolation costs gives expenditure on therapies 2000 $AUD2.3 billion for U.S. annual $US34 billion. Australia represents 120 62% increase respectively, since 1993. nearly four times public contribution all appears ambivalent wishes empowered accurate facilitate self-prescription. health ramifications expanding industry are great. © 2002 American Health Foundation Elsevier