Codes and Frequencies
Description
For sample adults and sample children between the ages of 4 and 17, who have seen a practitioner for folk medicine or traditional healer during the past 12 months (FOKYR), FOKINSURE indicates whether any of the costs of using folk medicine were covered by insurance.
Beginning in 2002, the NHIS included periodic supplements covering a range of alternative health practices (see ACUYR). Although information about insurance coverage of folk medicine/traditional healing is only available for 2002 and 2012, data about the average out-of-pocket cost (in dollars) per visit to a practitioner for folk medicine is available for 2007 (FOKPAID).
In 2012 and 2007, the survey question inquires about a specific list of traditional healers rather than the general term practitioners of folk medicine. The list of traditional healers in 2012 includes:
- Native American Healer/Medicine Man (FOKNAM)
- Shaman (FOKSHAM)
- Curandero, Machi, or Parchero (FOKCURAN)
- Yerbero or Hierbista (FOKYERB)
- Sobador (FOKSOBAD)
The following traditional healers were only included in the 2007 supplement:
- Espiritista (FOKESPIR)
- Botanica (FOKBOTAN)
Comparability
There was a change in universe since the initiation of this variable in 2002. In 2002, FOKINSURE is only available for sample adults who saw a practitioner for folk medicine in the past 12 months. In 2012 the universe expands to include children between the ages of 4 and 17, as well as sample adults who saw a traditional healer in the past 12 months.
Universe
- 2002: Sample adults age 18+ who have seen practitioners of folk medicine in the past 12 months.
- 2012: Sample adults age 18+ and sample children of ages 4-17 who have seen traditional healers in the past 12 months.
Availability
- 2002, 2012
Weights
- 2002 : SAMPWEIGHT
- 2012 : SUPP4WT
