Health-related research among Amish women: a review of findings.

The objective of this literature review is to explore and synthesize research related to Amish women's health issues. Literature searches were conducted on an extensive list of Internet-based databases, with a total of 767 articles identified. Inclusion criteria consisted of published, gender-based, and evidence-based research. The research reviewed covered a broad spectrum of health-related topics, and nearly all authors cited cultural factors as an explanation for the differences in Amish and non-Amish populations. However, the lack of evidence-based research and diversity of the topics prevented clear patterns of health-related issues to be discussed. Many researchers made broad-sweeping generalizations about the Amish, which can perpetuate the stereotypes and myths associated with their way of life. It is imperative that more evidence-based research be conducted to determine the cultural aspects and other factors that may influence health in this population.