Complementary and Alternative Medicine
The growing discipline of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) encompasses health care practices that are not part of the mainstream health care system in the United States but may contribute to health by diversifying our approaches in medicine and extending our concepts in biology. RAND Health researchers conduct evidence-based research on alternative approaches to illness prevention and treatment as well as studies aimed at understanding the place of CAM within the context of the health care system as a whole. Our current research projects, highlights of recent studies, and related web sites are described here.
Profiles of Current Research
Health Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
A review of evidence for the effectiveness of dietary Omega-3 fatty acids (both from food and supplements) for the prevention and treatment of autoimmune, gastrointestinal, renal, neurological disorders, and cancer.
Integrating CAM with Conventional Treatments
An assessment of the extent to which CAM practices are integrated with conventional approaches in a community hospital with a newly created center for integrative medicine and the factors that promote or hinder that integration.
Highlights of Recent Studies
Should ART be part of a population policy mix? Assessing the demographic impact of Assisted Reproductive Technologies — 2007
Details the results of a preliminary investigation into whether Assisted Reproductive Technologies can play a part in preventing European countries from falling into the low-fertility trap.
Ephedra—Is it Worth the Risk? — 2003
A summary of the RAND Health analysis of the evidence regarding the safety and effectiveness of the herb ephedra used to increase weight loss and enhance athletic performance.
Related Web Sites
RAND's Southern California Evidence-Based Practice Center
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