APRIL 7, 2022 — EDITION UNLOCKED FOR THE PUBLIC —
New data on minority supplement use delivers insights to help improve health outcomes for more Americans
“There’s an opportunity and an imperative to better measure how different populations are experiencing healthcare and what their health outcomes are…,” CVS Health’s vice president and chief health equity officer, Joneigh Khaldun, M.D., noted in a recent report on the future of wellness.
Indeed, deep and persistent inequities in health outcomes between minority and white populations in the U.S. are well documented.
In 2021, CRN included “oversamples” of minority groups including Black, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander respondents in its Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements to deliver deeper insights into their motivations, attitudes, and purchasing habits around supplement use.
Hispanic Americans were most likely to report a change in their supplement routine during the pandemic, significantly more so than white and Asian American/Pacific Islander respondents, for example.
More than one in 10 Hispanic supplement users report their friends and family are their top motivator, a significantly larger proportion than other groups.
Looking at motivations for supplement use by race and ethnicity, CRN’s survey found Asian Americans and Pacific Islander supplement users are likely to list “gaining control of a health condition” as their top motivator than other groups. We also see that this group is less likely to prioritize the advice of their health care provider than other groups.
Understanding minority attitudes and behaviors related to dietary supplements can help our industry better serve these populations.
In addition, CRN’s Nutrition Access Task Force is working toward making nutrition more accessible to everyone, especially those in need.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has designated April as National Minority Health Month—this year themed with the important message “Give Your Community a Boost!” to encourage full vaccination against COVID-19.
We know that supplementation can provide a wellness boost, too, in helping to fill nutrient gaps and may be useful in providing nutrients that otherwise may be consumed in less than recommended amounts or that are of particular concern for specific population groups. In addition, a growing body of evidence supporting the link between vitamin D and COVID-19, as the CRN Foundation presents through the Vitamin D and Me! website.
CRN encourages its members to share educational content about dietary supplements with their consumer channels and explore CRN’s consumer survey data to learn more.
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