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CHEYR
Had chelation, past 12 months
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Description

CHEYR reports whether the person had seen a provider or practitioner for chelation therapy during the past 12 months. See the Comparability and Universe Tabs for information on changes to the universe of this variable over time.

Chelation was one of many alternative health treatment modalities included in the Alternative Health Supplements.

Definitions 

The 2002 Field Representative's Manuals defines chelation therapy as:

a series of intravenous injections of a binding (chelating) agent, such as the amino acid EDTA, to remove toxic metals and wastes from the bloodstream. Following injection, the binding agent travels through the bloodstream attaching itself to toxic metals and wastes which are subsequently excreted through the patient's urine. Used initially for the treatment of lead poisoning, chelation therapy is being employed by a growing number of practitioners to treat and reverse the process of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

In other years, the Field Representative's Manuals define chelation therapy as:

a chemical process in which a substance is used to bind molecules, such as metals or minerals, and hold them tightly so that they can be removed from a system, such as the body. In medicine, chelation has been scientifically proven to rid the body of excess or toxic metals, such as with lead poisoning or iron overload. For example, a person who has lead poisoning may be given chelation therapy in order to bind and remove excess lead from the body before it can cause damage.

In 2002 the definition was not routinely shared with respondents. However, in 2007 and later years, field representatives were advised to "feel free to offer [this definition] even if the respondent has not requested [it]."

Related Variables

Additional information about use of chelation therapy was collected in some years for respondents who reported using chelation in the past 12 months, including variables on frequency of use and amount of out-of-pocket costs.

Comparability

Aside from slight changes in the universe, this variable is comparable over time.

Sample Adults
In 2002, 2007, and 2012, sample adults 18 and older were first asked whether they had ever seen a provider for chelation therapy (CHEEV) and, for those who indicated that they had, CHEYR records whether they had seen a provider for chelation therapy in the past 12 months. In 2017, the initial question asking about whether sample adults had ever seen a provider for chelation therapy was not asked. Instead, all sample adults aged 18 and older were asked whether they had seen a provider for chelation therapy in the past 12 months.

Sample Children
In 2007, sample children were added to the universe for this question. In 2007 and 2017, the person responding for the sample child was asked whether the child had seen a provider for chelation therapy in the past 12 months. In 2012, the respondent was first asked whether the sample child had ever seen a provider for chelation therapy and then asked whether the child had seen a provider in the past 12 months. In 2007, respondents for sample children under age 18 were asked about chelation therapy, and in 2012 and 2017 respondents for sample children aged 4 and older were asked about chelation therapy.

Universe

  • 2002: Sample adults age 18+ who have ever seen a practitioner for chelation therapy.
  • 2007: Sample adults age 18+ who have ever seen a practitioner for chelation therapy and sample children under 18.
  • 2012: Sample adults age 18+ and sample children age 4+ who have ever seen a practitioner for chelation therapy.
  • 2017: Sample adults age 18+ and sample children age 4+.

Availability

  • 2002, 2007, 2012, 2017

Weights