Poor Economy Leads to Higher Use of Natural Remedies
by Jennifer Bunn, RNIt has been estimated that approximately 45 million people in the United States are without health insurance coverage. Some estimates are higher, some are lower- the bottom line, however, is that an alarming number of people in the US cannot afford health care coverage. This not only impacts those who have already been diagnosed with a health condition, but also those who are not yet aware that they may be in the beginning stages of what may develop into a life-threatening condition, such as heart disease, diabetes, or one of the many chronic health problems that can have devastating consequences.
It has long been known that preventing disease is more cost efficient than treating disease that has already manifested itself: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” and “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” are not new or novel concepts. In an ideal world, under an ideal system, all citizens would have easy and affordable access to quality health care. The current economic crisis has further eroded the health care system’s ability to be proactive in preventing many inherently preventable diseases, forcing many to confront their health care issues only after they have become firmly entrenched and more difficult to treat.
Is it any wonder, then, that 38% of American adults turn to complementary medicine as a means of taking charge of their health? (NCCAM, 2007) People are more interested than ever in using natural and more cost effective methods to maintain their health and well-being. Science has gotten behind this movement, devoting more time to exploring complementary and alternative medications and practices. This increased interest has led to many studies confirming the validity of many of these therapies, which has further encouraged their use. It is likely that, as the economic situation continues, higher numbers of people will join this movement.
Source: http://nccam.nih.gov/news/camstats/2007/camsurvey_fs1.htm
Tags: natural health, natural remedies
