From mainstream to marginal? Trends in the use of Chinese medicine in China from 1991 to 2004

Abstract

In many Western societies, alternative healing options, including Chinese medicine, have started to move from the marginal to mainstream. In China, Chinese medicine has been an established component in the official health care system, but its relevance and effectiveness have often been challenged in a society committed to modernization. Despite abundant speculation, little research has established empirical facts regarding the use of Chinese medicine in China. This paper uses a longitudinal dataset to examine the trends from 1991 to 2004, and explore the extent to which changing population demographic and socioeconomic characteristics contributed to the observed trends. It finds that in the formal medical sector, the use of Chinese medicine has contracted, particularly in cities. Changing population demographic and socioeconomic characteristics cannot entirely account for the contraction. Rather, shifts in cultural values and structural changes in the health care system may have led to the observed decline.