Americans Spent $33.9 Billion Out-of-Pocket for Complementary & Alternative Medicine in 2007

OPEN MINDS Weekly News Wire Strategic Health Care News In 2007, about 38% of adult Americans spent $33.9 billion out-of-pocket on visits to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners and on purchases of CAM products, classes, and materials. Most of the spending, $22 billion, was for self-care products, classes, and materials. Nearly half, 44%, was spent on non-vitamin, non-mineral, natural products, such as fish oil, glucosamine, and echinacea The remainder, $11.9 billion, was for an estimated 354 visits to CAM practitioners for services such as acupuncture, chiropractic adjustment, or massage. These are findings . . .