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Ethnic differences in elders' home remedy use: sociostructural explanations
Joseph G Grzywacz1, Thomas A Arcury, Ronny A Bell
1Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1084, USA. grzywacz@wfubmc.edu
American Journal of Health Behavior
|January 25, 2006
Summary
Ethnic disparities in home remedy use among elders with diabetes are partially explained by socioeconomic factors, but not largely by social inequalities. Further research is needed to understand these complex health behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Health Disparities
Background:
- Home remedies are commonly used by older adults, but patterns of use may vary across ethnic groups.
- Understanding factors influencing home remedy use is crucial for addressing health disparities in aging populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether socially structured inequalities explain ethnic differences in home remedy use among elders with diabetes.
- To examine the role of care availability, economic hardship, and health status in these disparities.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 701 older adults with diabetes was surveyed.
- Dichotomous indicators for "food" and "other" home remedies were collected.
- Statistical analyses assessed the mediating effects of socioeconomic and health factors.
Main Results:
- Ethnic differences in home remedy use were observed among elders.
- Residential location, discretionary income, and health status partially explained higher home remedy use in Black and Native American elders compared to White elders.
- These factors did not fully account for the observed ethnic variations.
Conclusions:
- While socioeconomic factors play a partial role, socially structured inequalities do not largely explain ethnic differences in home remedy use among elders with diabetes.
- Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the complex interplay of factors influencing home remedy utilization in diverse aging populations.
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