Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Adults and Children: United States, 2007

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) covers a heterogeneous spectrum of ancient to new-age approaches that purport to prevent or treat disease. By definition, CAM practices are not part of conventional medicine because there is insufficient proof that they are safe and effective (1). Complementary interventions are used together with conventional treatments, whereas alternative interventions are used instead of conventional medicine.