More Canadians choosing alternative health therapies despite having to pay their own way

    CALGARY, May 22 /CNW/ - More than half of Canadians surveyed in 2006
reported using at least one form of complementary or alternative medicine or
treatment during the previous year, according to a new report published today
by independent research organization, The Fraser Institute.
    The report, Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Canada: Trends in
Use and Public Attitudes, 1997-2006, is based on a survey of 2,000 adult
Canadians conducted in 2006. It follows up on a similar survey done in 1997.
    The survey showed 54 per cent of respondents used at least one form of
alternative or complementary therapy in the year prior to the survey, an
increase of four percentage points over the 1997 result of 50 per cent.
    "This increased use of alternative therapies is another indicator of
Canadians' desire to have more choice and control over their health care
options," said Nadeem Esmail, The Fraser Institute's Director of Health System
Performance and author of the report.
    The most commonly used complementary and alternative medicines and
therapies reported were massage (19 per cent), prayer (16 per cent),
chiropractic care (15 per cent), relaxation techniques (14 per cent), and
herbal therapies (10 per cent).
    Most users of alternative therapies said they did so to prevent future
illness from occurring or to maintain health and vitality. Of those who used
alternative medicine in the 12 months prior to the 2006 survey, 53 per cent of
respondents (down slightly from 56 per cent in 1997) had not discussed their
use of alternative medicine with their doctor.
    On a provincial basis, Alberta saw the largest increase in the use of
alternative therapies in the year previous to the 2006 survey (68 per cent
compared to 54 per cent in 1997), followed by Ontario (55 per cent compared to
50 per cent in 1997), and British Columbia (64 per cent from 60 per cent in
1997). Quebec and Saskatchewan/Manitoba both experienced a one per cent
increase, moving from 44 to 45 and from 58 to 59 per cent respectively, while
Atlantic Canada experienced a decrease in the use of alternative therapies,
falling to 39 per cent in 2006 from 45 per cent in 1997.
    Despite the increased use of alternative medicine, the majority of
Canadians still consider medical doctors the main providers of health care
with almost half of respondents in 2006 seeing a doctor before turning to a
provider of alternative therapy. Additionally, a higher proportion of
respondents saw a medical doctor for their condition regarding treatment for
eight of the 10 most common medical conditions.
    "These results show Canadians retain confidence in physicians. But since
many of the most common problems Canadians suffer from are chronic -
allergies, back or neck problems, arthritis and rheumatism - they require more
than just symptomatic treatment. Consequently, Canadians are looking for
alternatives," Esmail said.
    What is interesting, he added, is that most alternative and complementary
treatments are not covered by government health insurance plans. Yet a large
number of people choose those options.
    "When it comes to health and well-being, a significant number of
Canadians are willing to spend their own money."
    Esmail estimates that Canadians spent approximately $7.8 billion out of
pocket on alternative medicine in the year before the 2006 survey - a
significant increase from the nearly $5.4 billion (inflation-adjusted) spent
in 1997. In 2006, more than $5.6 billion was spent on providers of alternative
therapy, while another $2.2 billion was spent on herbs, vitamins, special diet
programs, books, classes and equipment.
    But the survey also shows the majority of Canadians (59 per cent) believe
that alternative therapies should be paid for privately, not by provincial
health plans. The highest level of support for private payment came from the
group that used alternative therapy the most: 58 per cent of 18- to
34-year-olds used alternative therapies in the 12 months prior to the 2006
survey, and 62 per cent of them preferred that individuals pay for it
privately.
    Regionally, support for private payment in 2006 was strongest in Quebec
and Saskatchewan/Manitoba (66 per cent) and weakest in Atlantic Canada
(50 per cent). This is a notable change from 1997 when support was strongest
in Atlantic Canada (71 per cent) and weakest in British Columbia (48 per
cent).
    "In 2006, 74 per cent of Canadians say they have used alternative
therapies at some point in their lifetimes, and more than half of Canadians
have used alternative therapies in the year prior to the survey," Esmail said.
    "However, there are some notable differences between the regions in
Canada with respect to both use and attitudes towards alternative medicine.
Albertans and British Columbians are more likely to see value in alternative
therapies while skepticism reigns in Atlantic Canada. A national consensus on
this issue is highly improbable."

    The Fraser Institute is an independent research and educational
organization based in Canada. Its mission is to measure, study, and
communicate the impact of competitive markets and government intervention on
the welfare of individuals. To protect the Institute's independence, it does
not accept grants from governments or contracts for research. Visit
www.fraserinstitute.ca.

For further information: Nadeem Esmail, Director of Health System
Performance Studies, The Fraser Institute, Tel. [phone] ext: 222,
Email: [e-mail]; Dean Pelkey, Associate Director of
Communications, The Fraser Institute, Tel: [phone], Email
[e-mail]