$ 30 billion for complementary medicine

Americans spend around $ 30 billion annually on complementary medicine and therapies. This is shown in a recent analysis by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) on the health behavior of Americans.

(PhotoSG / fotolia.com)

Thus, in 2012, approximately 9% of all self-paid healthcare expenditures and 1.1% of total spending in the US healthcare market related to alternative products and services such as herbal medicines and supplements, chiropractic, massage or meditation, and yoga. $ 28.3 billion is attributable to adults and 1.9 billion to children.

Americans spend $ 14.7 billion on visits to complementary physicians or therapists (such as chiropractors, acupuncturists, manual therapists). That's almost 30% of what they spend on conventional doctors / therapists. They spend more on visits to naturopathic therapists than on naturopathic supplements or self-help materials ($ 12.8 billion). (Pm)