Pamela Jo Johnson1, Judy Jou2, Taeho Greg Rhee3, Todd H Rockwood4, Dawn M Upchurch5. 1. Center for Spirituality & Healing, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St. SE, MMC-505, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States; Division of Health Policy & Management, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St. SE, MMC-729, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States. Electronic address: johns245@umn.edu. 2. Center for Spirituality & Healing, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St. SE, MMC-505, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States; Division of Health Policy & Management, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St. SE, MMC-729, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States. 3. Center for Spirituality & Healing, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St. SE, MMC-505, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States; Department of Pharmaceutical Care and Health Systems, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, 7-168 Weaver-Densford Hall, 308 Harvard Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States. 4. Division of Health Policy & Management, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St. SE, MMC-729, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States. 5. Department of Community Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, UCLA, 650 Charles Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To characterize the use of complementary health approaches (CHA) and examine the perceived benefits of using CHA by reason for use among midlife and older adults. STUDY DESIGN: Analysis of 2012 National Health Interview Survey data, a nationally representative US sample using cross-tabulations with design-based F-tests and multiple logistic regression. The analytic sample included adults aged over 50 years (N=14,849). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The proposed benefits of using CHA included: (1) better control over health, (2) reduced stress/relaxation, (3) better sleep, (4) feeling better emotionally, (5) coping with health problems, (6) improved health/feeling better, and (7) improved relationships. RESULTS: Overall, 31% of this sample of midlife and older US adults had used CHA in the past year. Among users, 15% had used CHA for treatment only, 40% for wellness only, and 45% for combined wellness and treatment. Herbs (60%), chiropractic (28%), massage (22%), and yoga (19%) were the most common CHA. Wellness-only and combined users had significantly higher odds of reporting that CHA conferred benefit compared with treatment-only users. CONCLUSIONS: CHA are used by nearly a third of midlife and older adults and are perceived to provide substantial benefit. Integrating CHA as part of a healthy lifestyle has the potential to contribute to healthy aging among midlife and older adults.
OBJECTIVES: To characterize the use of complementary health approaches (CHA) and examine the perceived benefits of using CHA by reason for use among midlife and older adults. STUDY DESIGN: Analysis of 2012 National Health Interview Survey data, a nationally representative US sample using cross-tabulations with design-based F-tests and multiple logistic regression. The analytic sample included adults aged over 50 years (N=14,849). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The proposed benefits of using CHA included: (1) better control over health, (2) reduced stress/relaxation, (3) better sleep, (4) feeling better emotionally, (5) coping with health problems, (6) improved health/feeling better, and (7) improved relationships. RESULTS: Overall, 31% of this sample of midlife and older US adults had used CHA in the past year. Among users, 15% had used CHA for treatment only, 40% for wellness only, and 45% for combined wellness and treatment. Herbs (60%), chiropractic (28%), massage (22%), and yoga (19%) were the most common CHA. Wellness-only and combined users had significantly higher odds of reporting that CHA conferred benefit compared with treatment-only users. CONCLUSIONS: CHA are used by nearly a third of midlife and older adults and are perceived to provide substantial benefit. Integrating CHA as part of a healthy lifestyle has the potential to contribute to healthy aging among midlife and older adults.
Authors: Taeho Greg Rhee; Richard A Marottoli; Peter H Van Ness; Mary E Tinetti Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 2018-07-09 Impact factor: 6.053