A Comparative Study of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Heterosexually and Lesbian Identified Women: Data from the ESTHER Project (Pittsburgh, PA, 2003–2006)

Abstract

Objectives: The prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among women in the United States is high. Little is known about how CAM use may differ based on sexual orientation. Study aims were to measure the prevalence of CAM use in a community sample of women, explore differences in CAM use patterns by sexual orientation, and identify correlates of CAM use. Design/subjects: Analyses were based on women (Total N ¼ 879; n ¼ 479 lesbians) enrolled in the Epidemiologic STudy of HEalth Risk in Women (ESTHER) Project, a cross-sectional heart-disease risk-factor study.

Discrimination in Health Care and CAM Use in a Representative Sample of U.S. Adults

“…9,10,12 These findings indicate that discrimination was not associated with use of select practitioner-provided CAM modalities once adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, health insurance status, and having unmet health needs. In this study, discriminatory experiences in health care and use of herbal medicines were linked.…”

“…This finding is consistent with those of the study of CAM use among heterosexually and lesbian identified women, in which women who reported perceived discrimination were more likely to report use of herbs and homeopathy than those who did not perceive discrimination. 10 One possible explanation for these findings is that individuals who experience discrimination in conventional medical care settings may utilize herbal medicines as an alternative to interacting with health care providers-conventional or CAM.…”

“…7 Differences in CAM use based on sexual orientation have also been observed, with high use among lesbian woman in particular. [8][9][10] Having unmet medical needs is associated with substantially elevated CAM use, suggesting that individuals may turn to CAM when faced with barriers to accessing conventional care. 11 As such, medically marginalized populations may seek CAM as an alternative to conventional care.…”

“…9,10,12 In a sample of black Americans, racial discrimination was associated with a higher likelihood of using any type of CAM as well as using more modalities of CAM. 12 In a study of women's health conducted by the Chicago Lesbian Community Cancer Project, lesbian sexual orientation and perceived discrimination in health care settings were significant predictors of CAM use.…”

“…12 In a study of women's health conducted by the Chicago Lesbian Community Cancer Project, lesbian sexual orientation and perceived discrimination in health care settings were significant predictors of CAM use. 10 Differing definitions of CAM across studies, however, make it difficult to speculate about the nature of the relationship between perceived discrimination in health care settings and CAM use. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between reports of discrimination in health care and different types of CAM use in a nationally representative sample.…”