Perceived Neighborhood Social Cohesion and Preventive Healthcare Use.

TitlePerceived Neighborhood Social Cohesion and Preventive Healthcare Use.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsKim, ES, Kawachi, I
JournalAmerican Journal of Preventative Medicine
Volume53
Issue2
Paginatione35-e40
ISSN Number1873-2607
KeywordsMedicare/Medicaid/Health Insurance, Older Adults, Perception, Preventative Care, Social Relationships
Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Neighborhood social cohesion has been linked with better health and health behaviors, but its association with patterns of preventive healthcare use remains understudied. The hypothesis was that people with higher perceived neighborhood social cohesion would display increased use of preventive healthcare services.

METHODS: Participants (N=7,168) were drawn from the 2006 wave of the Health and Retirement Study-a prospective and nationally representative panel study of American adults aged >50 years-and tracked for one wave (2 years). Analyses were conducted in 2016.

RESULTS: After adjusting for sociodemographic factors and baseline health, each SD increase in neighborhood social cohesion was associated with a higher likelihood that people would obtain influenza vaccinations (OR=1.09, 95% CI=1.04, 1.15) or cholesterol tests (OR=1.10, 95% CI=1.02, 1.19). Further, women were more likely to receive mammograms/x-rays (OR=1.10, 95% CI=1.01, 1.19) or Pap tests (OR=1.08, 95% CI=1.00, 1.17). However, men were not more likely to receive prostate exams (OR=1.06, 95% CI=0.96, 1.17).

CONCLUSIONS: With additional research, findings from this study may inform the development of new strategies that increase the use of preventive healthcare services and enhance the quality of life among people moving through the ranks of this aging society.

DOI10.1016/j.amepre.2017.01.007
Alternate JournalAm J Prev Med
Citation Key8898
PubMed ID28214249
PubMed Central IDPMC5522638
Grant ListT32 HL098048 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
U01 AG009740 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States