Social justice and the community acupuncture movement: History and preliminary data from the Working Class Acupuncture Clinics in Portland, Oregon

Background: Acupuncture is a widely recognized system of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), popularized in the U.S. in the 1970s. Today, the most common acupuncture delivery model involves private consultations ranging in cost from around $65 to $150 per visit. Community acupuncture (CA) clinics - a recent innovation in acupuncture service delivery that provides low-cost, community-based treatment - may improve access to acupuncture and offer a sustainable model of healthcare delivery. To date, CAM health services research has not evaluated CA or its role as a model of affordable CAM delivery. This study characterizes the sociodemographics of clients at CA clinics in Portland, OR and examines use and satisfaction with the CA model.

Methods: An anonymous and voluntary survey was distributed to 500 adult clients at two CA clinics in Portland, Oregon. Surveys collected data on client demographics, socioeconomic status, health behaviors, access and utilization of health services, and satisfaction with the CA model.

Results: Preliminary analyses of 250 responses indicate that CA clients tend to be white (84.8%), highly educated (69.6% college degree or more), employed (68.8%) and predominately female (68%). Eighty-one percent of respondents cite affordability as an “extremely important” factor in choosing CA. Twenty-five percent of respondents were uninsured, 65% of whom cited having “no other option for health care” as an important factor in choosing CA.

Conclusion: Availability of accessible, low cost treatment is a primary reason why clients choose CA services. Further research will examine the CA model's potential to reduce disparities in access to CAM.