July 21, 2025

New Study to Examine Impacts of Public Funding Changes on Chiropractic Care in Alberta

The Chiropractic Association of Alberta (CAA), in partnership with Ontario Tech University’s Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research, is pleased to announce the launch of a landmark research study examining the effects of public funding changes on chiropractic service utilization in Alberta.

Funded by the Canadian Chiropractic Research Foundation (CCRF), this research study will explore how the delisting and subsequent partial reinstatement of public funding for chiropractic care has influenced service utilization, particularly among older adults and underserved populations.

Why This Research Matters

Access to chiropractic care remains a challenge for many Albertans, particularly those facing cost-related barriers. Chiropractors across the province continue to see how funding policies can limit patient access and impact outcomes. This study is an important step toward understanding the real-world implications of those policies and informing future advocacy efforts.

“This research is a critical step in understanding how policy decisions affect access to care,” said Bloxom. “We know that many Albertans face barriers to chiropractic services due to cost. This study will provide the evidence we need to advocate for more equitable access to care.”

Study Overview

This project, titled “Assessing the prevalence and associated characteristics of chiropractic services utilization before and after delisting from public funding among Albertans: an ecological time series study,” will examine how changes to public funding have shaped chiropractic service utilization across the province.

Chiropractic services in Alberta were publicly funded under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan from 1969 until 2009, when they were delisted. Since 2012, limited coverage has been reinstated for seniors and individuals on the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program.

Led by Dr. Silvano Mior, Senior Policy Analyst at Ontario Tech University, and co-principal investigator Cecilia Bloxom, CEO of the CAA, the research team includes experts in health policy, epidemiology, biostatistics, and rehabilitation from institutions across Canada. The study will analyze data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) and administrative health records from Alberta Health to assess trends in chiropractic utilization from 2003 to 2018.

Looking Ahead

The CAA will play a key role in knowledge translation, ensuring that findings are shared with policymakers, healthcare providers, and the public. The study is expected to inform future advocacy efforts towards integration of chiropractic care into Alberta’s publicly funded healthcare system.

“This is a milestone for chiropractic care in Alberta,” said Dr. Mior. “We are proud to lead a study that has the potential to shape the future of musculoskeletal health services in the province.”

Stay tuned for more information about the study and progress updates.