Immigrants face barriers to accessing conventional health care systems. Hence, they are expected to have comparatively greater use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). This study examines the prevalence of and reason for CAM use in the U.S. population by citizenship status. Data on 34,483 U.S.-born, naturalized, and non-U.S. citizens from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey was used. CAM was categorized into four domains. Analyses controlling for socioeconomic variables were identified patterns of utilization and reasons for use. The prevalence of all CAM domains was lowest among non-U.S. citizens followed by naturalized citizens. The odds of using CAM were also higher for the immigrants who attained citizenship than for non-citizens. Individuals in all groups reported using more CAM for prevention. Factors related to cost, accessibility, or knowledge of CAM use may contribute to lower use of CAM by naturalized and non-U.S. citizens. © 2015, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Uses of complementary and alternative medicine Complementary and alternative medicine prevalence Immigrant healthcare access Immigrant health disparities

human middle aged Ethnic Groups statistics and numerical data ethnic group Aged alternative medicine ethnology procedures Young Adult Humans migrant Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants female Socioeconomic Factors socioeconomics adult utilization patient attitude Choice Behavior Patient Acceptance of Health Care decision making Complementary Therapies