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Herbal supplement use among US women, 2000
Stella M Yu1, Reem M Ghandour, Zhihuan J Huang
1Office of Data and Information Management, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, USA.
Journal of the American Medical Women'S Association (1972)
|February 11, 2004
Summary
Nearly one-sixth of U.S. women used herbal supplements in 2000. Use was linked to factors like education, income, and health conditions, indicating a need for public health guidance.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Integrative Medicine
Background:
- Herbal supplement use is prevalent among U.S. women.
- Understanding the demographics and health factors associated with use is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of herbal supplement consumption in a national sample of U.S. women.
- To investigate associations between herbal supplement use and sociodemographic, health status, and health behavior characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the 2000 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) cancer supplement file.
- Inclusion of a diverse sample of 11,888 non-Hispanic white, 2,866 non-Hispanic black, 3,035 Hispanic, and 599 non-Hispanic other women.
- Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to identify predictors of herbal supplement use.
Main Results:
- Approximately 16.7% of U.S. women reported using at least one herbal supplement in 2000.
- Non-Hispanic white women, aged 35-64, with higher education, higher income, and those residing in the South and West regions were more likely to use supplements.
- Functional limitations and chronic conditions were also associated with increased herbal supplement use.
Conclusions:
- Herbal supplement use is widespread among U.S. women, particularly those with specific demographic and health profiles.
- The findings highlight a need for public health guidance on the safe and effective utilization of herbal products.
- Further research into the motivations and specific products used is warranted.