RACIAL/ETHNIC DIFFERENCES AND THE ECONOMIC OF CAM USE

描述(由申请人提供)：建议的研究将采用成熟的经济学理论和关于主流药物使用的实证研究，估计对CAM需求的3个基本经济属性。特别是，我们建议使用具有全国代表性的数据集来实证研究种族和民族群体如何对市场上的经济变量做出不同的反应。具体目标是：具体目标1：估计患者就诊需求的价格弹性、患者就诊与主流医学(MSM)就诊的交叉价格弹性以及就诊患者的收入弹性。具体目标2：确定需求价格弹性、交叉价格弹性(CAM/MSM)和收入弹性的种族和民族差异。将采用1996年和1998年的医疗开支小组调查。该实证模型是基于健康和医疗保健需求的理论经济学模型而得出的。CAM就诊需求的价格弹性估计了患者对CAM使用定价的反应程度。CAM与主流就医之间的交叉价格弹性决定了CAM与MSM在经济上的替代或互补。收入弹性(IE)考察CAM是劣质商品(IE&lt；0)、必需品(0&lt；IE&lt；1)还是奢侈品(IE&gt；1)。采用普通最小二乘法作为分析工具。要分析的CAM类型包括脊椎疗法、按摩疗法、草药疗法、精神疗愈或祈祷、营养建议、针灸、冥想/意象/放松、顺势疗法、传统医学、生物反馈训练、催眠等。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The proposed study will estimate 3 fundamental economic properties of the demand for CAM, adopting well-established economics theories and empirical studies on mainstream medicine use. In particular, we propose to empirically investigate how racial and ethnic groups respond differently to economic variables in the market using a nationally representative data set. The specific aims are: Specific Aim 1: To estimate the price elasticity of demand for CAM visits, the cross-price elasticity between CAM and mainstream medicine (MSM) visits and the income elasticity (IE) of CAM visits. Specific Aim 2: To establish racial and ethnic differences in the price elasticity of demand, cross-price elasticity (CAM/MSM) and income elasticity. The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 1996 and 1998 will be used. The empirical model is derived based on a theoretical economics model of demand for health and health care. The price elasticity of demand for CAM visits estimates how responsive patients are to price in CAM use. The cross-price elasticity between CAM and mainstream medicine visits establishes the economic substitution or complementarity of CAM and MSM. The income elasticity (IE) investigates whether CAM is an inferior (IE<0), necessity (0<IE<1) or luxury (IE>1)good. Ordinary least squares will be used as the analytic tools. The types of CAM to be analyzed include chiropractics, massage therapy, herbal remedies, spiritual healings or prayers, nutritional advice, acupuncture, meditation/imagery/relaxation, homeopathy, traditional medicine, biofeedback training, hypnosis and others.