Taken from CMHS Consumer Affairs E-News February 17, 2010
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
National Wise Health Consumer Month—February 2010
February is National Wise Health Consumer Month. Please take time this month to view our resources on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and being an informed consumer. By being aware of issues to consider and questions to ask, you're well on your way to being a wise consumer!
On this page:
Be an Informed Consumer
Decisions about your health care are important—including decisions about whether or not to use CAM. This section includes
fact sheets that can help you think about the issues to consider and questions to ask.
Time to Talk Resources and Information
Time to Talk is an educational campaign to encourage patients—particularly those age 50 or older—and their health care providers to openly discuss the use of CAM.
Dietary and Herbal Supplements
Many people take dietary supplements in an effort to be well and stay healthy. With so many dietary supplements available and so many claims made about their health benefits, how can a consumer decide what's safe and effective?
Cost Information
If you are using (or thinking about using) CAM, you
may have financial questions about paying for treatment. Learn more and read "Paying for CAM Treatment."
According to statistics released in
July 2009 from a nationwide government survey, U.S. adults spent $33.9 billion out-of-pocket on visits to CAM practitioners and purchases of CAM products, classes, and materials. Find more statistics on CAM costs from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey.
What does the research say?
CAM on PubMed Database
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