Changes in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use from 2014 to 2023: Findings from a cross-national population-based survey in Europe

Abstract

Abstract Aim The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked interest in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), both as a remedy for managing symptoms and in relation to its association with vaccine hesitancy and resistance to public health measures. European cross-national evidence remains sparse. This article provides a comparative analysis of CAM use across European countries between 2014 and 2023. We assess changes in the prevalence of use of different CAM modalities and explore their associations with sociodemographic factors. Subject and methods Analyses used weighted European Social Survey (ESS) data to estimate proportions and logistic regression with robust standard errors, controlling for gender, age, education, income, and country of residence. Results Our findings indicate that overall CAM use in Europe has remained relatively stable during this period, although there were notable differences between countries and between treatment modalities, with some showing increases and others decreases in use. Exclusively relying on CAM without consulting medical professionals remains stable at approximately 8% of CAM users. The typical user profiles of CAM have remained consistent: women, mid-age groups and highly educated people tend to use CAM more than other groups. Conclusion While CAM use may have spiked temporarily during the pandemic, our analysis shows no evidence of a sustained long-term increase in its overall prevalence.

Topics & Concepts