The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) was a former branch of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States that focused on research in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). It was established in 1998 and existed until 2014 when it was renamed the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).
NCCAM's primary mission was to explore and promote the scientific investigation of various CAM practices, techniques, and products to determine their safety, effectiveness, and potential uses. CAM refers to healthcare approaches that are outside the conventional medical framework, including herbal remedies, acupuncture, yoga, chiropractic methods, and many others.
Through research funding, NCCAM aimed to support rigorous scientific studies on CAM practices, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based research to inform healthcare decisions. Additionally, NCCAM provided educational resources to healthcare professionals, patients, and the general public regarding the safety and efficacy of CAM interventions.
NCCAM's work contributed to a better understanding of CAM practices and their potential integration into mainstream healthcare. It fostered collaboration between traditional medical practitioners, scientists, and CAM providers to build a comprehensive knowledge base on CAM therapies.
The change in name from NCCAM to NCCIH in 2014 reflected an increased emphasis on the integration of CAM practices with conventional medicine to create a more comprehensive and patient-centered approach to healthcare.
