Title | The prospective relationship between binge drinking and physician visits among older adults. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2010 |
Authors | Jenkins, KRahrig, Zucker, RA |
Journal | J Aging Health |
Volume | 22 |
Issue | 8 |
Pagination | 1099-113 |
Date Published | 2010 Dec |
ISSN Number | 1552-6887 |
Keywords | Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Alcoholic Intoxication, Female, Health Resources, Health Services Accessibility, Health Services Needs and Demand, Health Status Indicators, Humans, Linear Models, Male, Michigan, Multivariate Analysis, Patient Satisfaction, Physicians, Prospective Studies, Psychometrics, Risk Assessment, Risk Factors, Self Report |
Abstract | OBJECTIVES: The objectives are to (a) determine if binge drinking is related to physician visits and (b) estimate the degree to which the relationship between binge drinking and physician visits can be explained by other health characteristics. METHOD: Data on a sample of 4,960 older adults (70+ years of age in 2002) from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were used. Three linear regression models estimated the impact of binge drinking on physician visits. RESULTS: In the fully adjusted models, binge drinking did have an effect on the number of physician visits by older adults, with more frequent binge drinkers having fewer physician visits. This negative relationship exists even when demographic as well as other current health characteristics are controlled. DISCUSSION: The implications of these results are discussed in terms of more broadly communicating the risks associated with binge drinking and more effectively targeting interventions to older binge drinkers. |
DOI | 10.1177/0898264310376539 |
User Guide Notes | |
Endnote Keywords | Drunkenness/Alcohol Abuse/Elderly/Health/Physicians/Sociodemographic/Socioeconomic Differences/Factors/Intervention/Retirement |
Endnote ID | 24420 |
Alternate Journal | J Aging Health |
Citation Key | 7518 |
PubMed ID | 20693519 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC4618665 |
Grant List | U01 AG009740 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States U01 AG09740 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States |