Dietary Supplements and Older Consumers

“The survey found that use of dietary supplements is prevalent among persons age 50 and older. It also indicated that consumers want more safety-related information than is currently found on supplement labels, including possible side effects and drug interactions. Moreover, the survey revealed substantial support among older consumers for federal government premarket review of safety data and health-related claims for supplement products.”

— from the AARP Public Policy Institute Data Digest by Sandra B. Eskin, discussing the findings of a PPI nationwide telephone survey about the use of dietary supplements by older consumers and their views on safety and labeling issues. For the survey, 1,480 age 50+ persons were interviewed between September 7 and 9, 2001 by RoperASW, Princeton, NJ. (8 pages)