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ACUYR
Had acupuncture, past 12 months
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Codes and Frequencies



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Description

For sample adults age 18+ and sample children ages 4-17 in 2022, ACUYR reports whether the person had used acupuncture in the past 12 months.

Prior to 2022, questions about acupuncture were asked as part of the Complementary and Alternative Health Supplement. In 1999, information about acupuncture use in the past 12 months was collected from all sample adults. In 2002, the question was fielded to sample adults who had ever seen a practitioner for acupuncture (ACUEV), and in 2007 and 2012 the question was also asked of all sample children.

Beginning in 2022, ACUYR was one of twenty-five variables sponsored by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to assess complementary and integrative health (CIH) practices. Please see THPYART to learn more about the Complementary and Integrative Health content section, including a complete list of CIH variables fielded in the 2022 NHIS.

Definitions 

The 1999 Field Representative's Manual defines acupuncture as:

when a health professional uses small needles to stimulate points on the body that relieve pain and speed healing." This definition was not routinely shared with respondents.

The 2002 Field Representative's Manual defines acupuncture is:

based on the theory that health is determined by a balanced flow of life energy (chi or qi) which is thought to be present in all living organisms. This life energy circulates throughout the body along a series of energy pathways (meridians). Each of these meridians is linked to specific internal organs and organ systems. Within this system of energy pathways, there are over one thousand acupoints that can be stimulated, through the insertion of needles. This is thought to help correct and rebalance the flow of life energy, and therefore restore health. Acupuncture has been used to treat a number of health problems and conditions ranging from the common cold to addiction and chronic fatigue syndrome.

This definition was not routinely shared with respondents.

The 2007 and 2012 Field Representative's Manual defines acupuncture as:

Acupuncture describes a family of procedures involving stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques. American practices of acupuncture incorporate medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries. The acupuncture technique that has been most studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation.

Field representatives were advised to "feel free to offer [this definition] even if the respondent has not requested [it]."

In 2022, acupuncture was not further defined in the field representative's manual.

Related Variables 

Additional information about the use of acupuncture was collected for respondents who reported using acupuncture in the past 12 months.

Prior to 2022, the additional information collected included variables on frequency and cost of use. Please use the IPUMS NHIS drop-down menus and search function to explore these variables.

Beginning in 2022, the additional information collected included variables on the use of acupuncture to treat or manage physical pain and to restore overall health.

  • ACUPAIN: Saw practitioner of acupuncture for pain
  • ACUHLTH: Saw practitioner of acupuncture to restore overall health

Comparability

Changes in the universe and sample design affect comparability of this variable across time.

In 2007, sample children were added to the universe for this question. In 2007 only, the sample child universe was not restricted by if the sample child had ever used acupuncture (ACUEV). Because of this expanded universe, the number of negative responses for ACUYR is much higher in 2007.

In 2022, the universe was not restricted to those who had ever used acupuncture and included all sample adults and sample children ages 4-17.

In addition, the NHIS questionnaire was substantially redesigned in 2019 to introduce a different data collection structure and new content. For more information on changes in terminology, universes, and data collection methods beginning in 2019, please see the user note.

Universe

  • 1999: Sample adults age 18+.
  • 2002: Sample adults age 18+ who have ever seen a practitioner for acupuncture.
  • 2007: Sample adults age 18+ who have ever seen a practitioner for acupuncture and sample children under 18.
  • 2012: Sample adults age 18+ who have ever seen a practitioner for acupuncture and sample children between the ages of 4 and 17.
  • 2022: Sample adults age 18+ and sample children age 4-17.

Availability

  • 1999, 2002, 2007, 2012, 2022

Weights