Fast Facts

Definition of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) - A group of diverse medical and healthcare systems, practices and products that are not presently considered an integral part of conventional medicine. Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine, and alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. 'Integrative medicine'  has become the term used to indicate the integration of CAM and conventional medicine.  'Holistic medicine'  is the term that brings together the best of conventional, complementary, alternative and integrative medicine, emphasizing the whole person and including the spiritual nature.

• 4 in 10 adults in the U.S. use some form of CAM each year
• $34 billion spent on CAM in 2007 – mostly out-of-pocket - $12 billion on visits to practitioners, $22 billion on             products, classes materials
• Over $10BL spent on CAM research in last ten years
• Chronic back, neck and joint pain are most likely to generate CAM usage
• The global market for herbal medicines is over $60 billion annually, and is growing steadily
• In 2007, more than 3.1 million people used acupuncture and Chinese medicine - a 50% increase since 2002
• 2/3 of adults using CAM don’t tell their doctors
• More than 50 U.S. hospitals and medical centers have integrative medicine centers or programs
• Many health plans offer CAM discount programs and/or coverage for certain CAM treatments if prescribed by a medical doctor