Abstract
This chapter reviews the socioeconomic factors that determine the utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the United States. The study is mentioned to be based on empirical evidence found in the literature. Two theories are used to explain the use of CAM, namely the behavioral and the economic model which are further analyzed. An account of the sociodemographic determinants of CAM use is given with emphasis on age, gender, race, ethnicity, culture and acculturation. The economic determinants of using CAM are included and discusses price, insurance, and income. It evaluates the role of CAM as a substitute for or a complement of mainstream medicine and elaborates on the barriers to utilization of CAM as compared to mainstream medicine. It mentions that consumers tend to consider CAM as non-scientific and from the perspective of research and science communities, the gold standard of randomized clinical trials was not met by CAM initially. It concludes that the use of CAM is influenced by factors at multiple levels, such as the patient, the mainstream health care providers and medical policies and regulations.
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