Today, with an increasing older population and inadequate health system, there is an accompanying interest in complementary and alternative therapies.

One of the goals of The Healthy People 2010 Report is to increase the quality of life and years of life of all individuals. I am assuming that “years of life” refers to “longevity” or life expectancy. The United States rank # 19 with a life expectancy of 78.9 years   and Japan ranks #1 with a life expectancy of 82.9 years for women. Men in the U.S. rank #25/ 72.5 years and Japan rank #1/76.4 years.

The focus areas of the report include, among others, health communication, heart disease & stroke, and nutrition & overweight. All these focus areas are included as risk factor for the Metabolic Syndrome. A poor nutritional status and obesity are risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Health illiteracy is a risk factor for a sundry of medical conditions and chronic diseases. Where is the quality of life if there is increased longevity and a decrease in the numbers of health care providers, access to health care and the quality of service?

Simply stated, age is a factor for most chronic diseases. The number of people who use CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) is increasing among adults and older adults do not discuss their use of CAM with their providers. This is one reason why communication/dialogue is important between the primary care provider and the patient. This does not happen in a fifteen minute session. As a result, patients seek other therapies such as CAM.

CAM can be useful in the management of chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes; in addition to its usefulness in the prevention of disease and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle.