Data Cart

Your data extract

0 variables
0 samples
View Cart
HOMYR
Used homeopathic treatment, past 12 months
Return to Homeopathy - General variables list

Codes and Frequencies



Can't find the category you are looking for? Try the Detailed codes

Description

HOMYR reports whether the person used homeopathic treatment in the past 12 months. Please see the Comparability and Universe Tabs for more information on changes to the universe of this variable over time.

Homeopathy was one of many alternative health treatment modalities included in the Complementary and Alternative Health Supplements.

Definitions 

The 1999 Field Representative's Manual defines homeopathic treatment as:

using small amounts of minerals, herbs, and other substances to help the body heal itself. These could be harmful if taken in large amounts.

This definition was not routinely shared with respondents.

In later years the definitions were more expansive. The 2002 Field Representative's Manual says that homeopathic treatment is:

a system of medical practice based on the theory that any substance that can produce symptoms of disease or illness in a healthy person can cure those symptoms in a sick person. For example, someone suffering from insomnia may be given a homeopathic (ho-me-oh-PATH-ik) dose of coffee. Administered in diluted form, homeopathic remedies are derived from many natural sources, including plants, metals, and minerals. Numbering in the thousands, these remedies have been used to treat a wide variety of ailments including seasonal allergies, asthma, influenza, headaches, and indigestion.

This definition was not routinely shared with respondents.

The 2007 and later Field Representative's Manuals provides an almost identical definition but omits examples of conditions that have been treated with homeopathy:

Homeopathy (hoh-mee-AH-puh-thee) is a system of medical practices based on the theory that any substance that can produce symptoms of disease or illness in a healthy person can cure those symptoms in a sick person. For example, someone suffering from insomnia may be given a homeopathic dose of coffee. Administered in diluted form, homeopathic remedies are derived from many natural sources, including plants, animals, metals, and minerals.

Beginning in 2007, field representatives were advised to "feel free to offer [this definition] even if the respondent has not requested [it]."

Related Variables

In some years, additional information about use of homeopathy was collected for respondents who reported using homeopathy 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 and question phrasing, 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 homeopathic treatment (HOMEV) and, for those who indicated that they had, HOMYR records whether they had seen a provider for homeopathic treatment in the past 12 months. In 1999 and 2017, the initial question asking about whether sample adults had ever seen a provider for homeopathic treatment was not asked. Instead, all sample adults aged 18 and older were asked whether they had seen a provider for homeopathic treatment 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 homeopathic treatment in the past 12 months. In 2012, the respondent was first asked whether the sample child had ever seen a provider for homeopathic treatment 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 homeopathic treatment, and in 2012 and 2017 respondents for sample children aged 4 and older were asked about homeopathic treatment.

Universe

  • 1999: Sample adults age 18+.
  • 2002: Sample adults age 18+ who have ever used homeopathic treatment.
  • 2007: Sample adults age 18+ and sample children under 18 who have ever used homeopathic treatment.
  • 2012: Sample adults age 18+ and sample children age 4+ who have ever seen a practitioner for homeopathic treatment.
  • 2017: Sample adults age 18+ and sample children age 4+.

Availability

  • 1999, 2002, 2007, 2012, 2017

Weights