QuickStats: Percentage of Adults Who Used Selected Complementary Health Approaches* in the Preceding 12 Months, by Metropolitan Status of Residence† — National Health Interview Survey,§United States, 2012

Weekly

September 12, 2014 / 63(36);802

The figure shows the percentage of adults who used selected complementary health approaches in the preceding 12 months, by metropolitan status of residence in the United States during 2012. During 2012, the percentages of U.S. adults aged ≥18 years who used nonvitamin, nonmineral dietary supplements, yoga, massage, meditation and special diets were higher in metropolitan areas than in nonmetropolitan areas. A greater proportion of adults in nonmetropolitan areas used chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation (9.9%) compared with those in metropolitan areas (7.9%). In both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, dietary supplements had the highest percentage of use (17.9% in metropolitan; 14.2% in nonmetropolitan), and special diets had the lowest percentage of use (3.1% in metropolitan; 1.9% in nonmetropolitan).

* Based on the six most commonly used complementary health approaches among U.S. adults in 2012.

† Based on the household residence location. Metropolitan is located within a metropolitan statistical area, defined as a county or group of contiguous counties that contains at least one urbanized area of ≥50,000 population. Surrounding counties with strong economic ties to the urbanized area also are included. Nonmetropolitan areas do not include a large urbanized area and are generally thought of as more rural.

§ Estimates are based on household interviews of a sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized U.S. population.

¶ 95% confidence interval.

During 2012, the percentages of U.S. adults aged ≥18 years who used nonvitamin, nonmineral dietary supplements, yoga, massage, meditation, and special diets were higher in metropolitan areas than in nonmetropolitan areas. A greater proportion of adults in nonmetropolitan areas used chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation (9.9%) compared with those in metropolitan areas (7.9%). In both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, dietary supplements had the highest percentage of use (17.9% in metropolitan; 14.2% in nonmetropolitan), and special diets had the lowest percentage of use (3.1% in metropolitan; 1.9% in nonmetropolitan).

Source: National Health Interview Survey, 2012. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm.

Reported by: Lindsey Jones, MPH, izf4@cdc.gov, 301-458-4548; Tainya C. Clarke, PhD; Patricia Barnes, MA.

Alternate Text: The figure above shows the percentage of adults who used selected complementary health approaches in the preceding 12 months, by metropolitan status of residence in the United States during 2012. During 2012, the percentages of U.S. adults aged ≥18 years who used nonvitamin, nonmineral dietary supplements, yoga, massage, meditation and special diets were higher in metropolitan areas than in nonmetropolitan areas. A greater proportion of adults in nonmetropolitan areas used chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation (9.9%) compared with those in metropolitan areas (7.9%). In both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, dietary supplements had the highest percentage of use (17.9% in metropolitan; 14.2% in nonmetropolitan), and special diets had the lowest percentage of use (3.1% in metropolitan; 1.9% in nonmetropolitan).