279364
CAM use in higher education: Recommendations for research, services, and education
Amy L. Versnik Nowak, PhD
,
Department of Health, Physical Education & Recreation, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN
Heidi M. Hale, MPH
,
Financial Counseling Department, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) research has consistently shown that education is a significant predictor of CAM use, which means people with higher levels of education are more likely to use CAM therapies. Studying CAM use patterns among students attending U.S. colleges is important for more fully understanding the connection between education and CAM use. A systematic review of peer-reviewed studies on CAM use patterns of undergraduate students on American college campuses revealed that use of six CAM therapies, including acupuncture, homeopathy, and healing therapy/Reiki, is significantly higher among U.S. college samples than the general U.S. adult population. What does that mean for health care providers, health educators, and students on college campuses? Recommendations for future research and conducting needs assessments on a college campus will be provided. Suggestions for incorporating CAM services and education into university life will be discussed.
Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Learning Objectives:
Discuss the connection between education and CAM use. List six CAM therapies that college students use at significantly higher levels than the general U.S. adult population. Identify ways to incorporate CAM research, services, and education into university settings.
Keywords: Alternative Medicine/Therapies, College Students
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the principal, co-principal, or consultant/adviser for multiple college CAM use research studies in the U.S. My scientific and public health interests include studying patterns and predictors of college CAM use and, as a result, developing CAM use services, education, and interventions in university settings.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
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