Nurses' Health Study

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Nurses' Health Study is a series of long-term prospective studies that examine the effects of diet, nutrition, and other health behaviors on the development of chronic diseases in women. The study was established in 1976 by Frank Speizer, and is one of the largest and longest-running investigations of factors influencing women’s health.

History[edit | edit source]

The Nurses' Health Study was initiated in 1976 by Frank Speizer, with the primary focus on the potential long term consequences of the use of oral contraceptives. The study was conducted among 121,700 registered nurses from 11 states in the United States, aged between 30 and 55 years. The study has been expanded over the years to include more participants and a wider range of health factors.

Design and methodology[edit | edit source]

The Nurses' Health Study uses a prospective cohort design. Participants complete a mailed questionnaire about their medical history and health practices every two years. The questionnaire includes questions about diseases and health-related topics such as smoking, physical activity, and medications used. The study has collected detailed and updated information on many factors, including diet, physical activity, contraceptive use, hormone therapy, and various diseases.

Findings[edit | edit source]

The Nurses' Health Study has made many significant contributions to the understanding of health and disease. It has provided evidence on the risks and benefits of oral contraceptives, hormone therapy, diet, and lifestyle factors for cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other conditions. The study has also contributed to the understanding of the role of dietary factors in heart disease, cancer, and other diseases.

Criticisms[edit | edit source]

Despite its many contributions, the Nurses' Health Study has been criticized for its reliance on self-reported data, which may be subject to bias. However, the study has implemented rigorous methods to validate the self-reported data and to adjust for potential confounding factors.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

Nurses' Health Study Resources
Wikipedia
WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD