Utilization of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations: Implications for Reducing Health Disparities

Abstract

This chapter provides a review of research literature and describes the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among racial and ethnic minority populations. The relevance of CAM to health disparities is also discussed. Complementary and alternative medicines are terms used to describe methods of health care beyond the usual Western biomedical model. These treatments are prevalent and increasing in the United States. Many CAM therapies are ancient therapies among certain racial and ethnic minorities. Thus, it seems that complementary and alternative medicine is being used and/or could be used to decrease health disparities among these populations. A review of 26 research articles shows that we are at the beginning stages of examining this phenomenon and that CAM use by any population is only now being described. Of the reviewed studies, 19 studies documented use of CAM among racial and ethnic minorities; 7 revealed that CAM is not used more among ethnic groups than among White (non-Hispanic) populations. Although it is known that racial and ethnic people utilize CAM, the vast array of research questions and aims, CAM definitions, CAM practitioners, and diverse research methodologies result in mixed research findings and conclusions. In some instances, utilization of CAM modalities is stated to be a result of culture among particular groups. Even so, there is currently no evidence that scientifically supports the notion that CAM can be used to reduce health disparities within racial and ethnic minority populations.

Delays in Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment by Racial/Ethnic Group

“…Given an insured population, system inefficiencies, including busy clinics, have been implicated in differences in delay by ethnic/racial groups. 10,36,37 Cultural variations in approaches to cancer detection and follow-up for abnormal findings, including levels of acculturation, or attitudes and beliefs toward cancer causation, preferences in cancer detection, or the perceived effectiveness of treatment may influence the timeliness of services. 38 Although these predictors, too, were unmeasured in this study, patient psychosocial fac- tors, such as fear and anxiety, a sense of fatalism, perceived risk, misunderstanding, body image, the competing demands of caring for others, and social norms, may also delay diagnostic evaluation and treatment.…”

Attributes of Non-Hispanic Blacks That Use Chiropractic Health Care: A Survey of Patients in Texas and Louisiana

“…42 Some researchers have suggested that the use of different forms of CAM may help decrease health disparities among ethnic minorities. 52 Increased utilization of chiropractic health care may provide blacks with more diverse health care options, particularly with soft tissue injuries associated with neck and low back pain. Research demonstrates that spinal manipulation can have a positive impact on neck and low back pain.…”

Self‐Reported Pain and Utilization of Pain Treatment Between Minorities and Nonminorities in the United States

“…However, in another national probability survey, the use of CAM was equally prevalent among racial/ethnic subgroups (Mackenzie et al, 2003). A recent systematic review of CAM use among minorities concluded that these mixed research findings stem from discrepancies in CAM definitions, CAM practitioners, and diverse methodologies used in the published research (Struthers & Nichols, 2004).…”