Abstract
Clinical studies display a wide range of herb use prevalence among racial/ethnic minorities in the United States. We searched
databases indexing the literature including CINAHL, EMBASE, Global Health, CAB Abstracts, and Medline. We included studies
that reported herbal medicine prevalence among ethnic minorities, African American, Hispanic, or Asian adults living in the
United States. Data from 108 included studies found the prevalence of herb use by African Americans was 17 % (range 1–46 %);
for Hispanics, 30 % (4–100 %); and for Asians, 30 % (2–73 %). Smaller studies were associated with higher reported herb use
(p = 0.03). There was a significant difference (p = 0.01) between regional and national studies with regional studies reporting higher use. While herb usage surveys in racial/ethnic
minorities show great variability, indications suggest high prevalence. More research is needed to understand herb use among
ethnic/racial minorities, reasons for use, and barriers to disclosure of use to clinicians.
databases indexing the literature including CINAHL, EMBASE, Global Health, CAB Abstracts, and Medline. We included studies
that reported herbal medicine prevalence among ethnic minorities, African American, Hispanic, or Asian adults living in the
United States. Data from 108 included studies found the prevalence of herb use by African Americans was 17 % (range 1–46 %);
for Hispanics, 30 % (4–100 %); and for Asians, 30 % (2–73 %). Smaller studies were associated with higher reported herb use
(p = 0.03). There was a significant difference (p = 0.01) between regional and national studies with regional studies reporting higher use. While herb usage surveys in racial/ethnic
minorities show great variability, indications suggest high prevalence. More research is needed to understand herb use among
ethnic/racial minorities, reasons for use, and barriers to disclosure of use to clinicians.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s10903-012-9661-z
- Authors
- Paula Gardiner, Department of Family Medicine, Boston Medical Center, 1 Boston Medical Center Place, Dowling 5 South, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Julia Whelan, Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Laura F. White, Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Amanda C. Filippelli, Department of Family Medicine, Boston Medical Center, 1 Boston Medical Center Place, Dowling 5 South, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Nazleen Bharmal, Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Ted J. Kaptchuk, Division of General Medicine and Primary Care, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Journal Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
- Online ISSN 1557-1920
- Print ISSN 1557-1912