@article {11113, title = {Characteristics of Repeated Influenza Vaccination Among Older U.S. Adults.}, journal = {American Journal of Preventive Medicine}, year = {2020}, abstract = {

INTRODUCTION: Annual influenza vaccination is associated with reduced mortality among older adults and lower overall public health burden of influenza. This study seeks to identify the characteristics associated with repeat influenza vaccination and determine whether age-group (51-59, 60-69, >=70 years) differences exist.

METHODS: Using the nationally representative, longitudinal Health and Retirement Study waves 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016, adults aged >50 years were followed from 2004 to 2016. In 2020, age-stratified, multinomial regression models were estimated to identify the factors associated with respondents receiving the vaccine repeatedly (every time point), occasionally (some years), or never, with censoring for death.

RESULTS: The overall proportion of adults repeatedly receiving influenza vaccine monotonically increased across age groups from 25.9\% among adults aged 51-59 years to 62.4\% among those aged >=70 years. Black, non-Hispanics and smokers were less likely to repeatedly receive an influenza vaccine than white, non-Hispanics and nonsmokers (RR=0.40-0.61 and RR=0.60-0.75, respectively, p<0.05 for all). Those who had 1-4 medical doctor visits in the past 2 years (RR=1.60-2.99) or cholesterol screening (RR=2.67-3.48) in the past 2 years were significantly more likely to repeatedly receive influenza vaccine than those who had none.

CONCLUSIONS: Although adults aged 60-69 years and >=70 years are more likely to receive influenza vaccine repeatedly than adults aged 51-59 years, age-specific interventions for repeat influenza vaccination may not be as effective as interventions targeted to certain subgroups among adults aged >=51 years.

}, keywords = {characteristics, Influenza Vaccines}, issn = {1873-2607}, doi = {10.1016/j.amepre.2020.05.009}, author = {Barbara H. Bardenheier and Zullo, Andrew R and Jutkowitz, Eric and Gravenstein, Stefan} } @article {8128, title = {Purpose in life and use of preventive health care services.}, journal = {Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A}, volume = {111}, year = {2014}, note = {Times Cited: 0 0}, month = {2014 Nov 18}, pages = {16331-6}, publisher = {111}, abstract = {

Purpose in life has been linked with better health (mental and physical) and health behaviors, but its link with patterns of health care use are understudied. We hypothesized that people with higher purpose would be more proactive in taking care of their health, as indicated by a higher likelihood of using preventive health care services. We also hypothesized that people with higher purpose would spend fewer nights in the hospital. Participants (n = 7,168) were drawn from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative panel study of American adults over the age of 50, and tracked for 6 y. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, each unit increase in purpose (on a six-point scale) was associated with a higher likelihood that people would obtain a cholesterol test [odds ratio (OR) = 1.18, 95\% confidence interval (CI) = 1.08-1.29] or colonoscopy (OR = 1.06, 95\% CI = 0.99-1.14). Furthermore, females were more likely to receive a mammogram/X-ray (OR = 1.27, 95\% CI = 1.16-1.39) or pap smear (OR = 1.16, 95\% CI = 1.06-1.28), and males were more likely to receive a prostate examination (OR = 1.31, 95\% CI = 1.18-1.45). Each unit increase in purpose was also associated with 17\% fewer nights spent in the hospital (rate ratio = 0.83, 95\% CI = 0.77-0.89). An increasing number of randomized controlled trials show that purpose in life can be raised. Therefore, with additional research, findings from this study may inform the development of new strategies that increase the use of preventive health care services, offset the burden of rising health care costs, and enhance the quality of life among people moving into the ranks of our aging society.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Early Detection of Cancer, Educational Status, ethnicity, Female, Habits, Hematologic Tests, Hospitalization, Humans, Influenza Vaccines, Insurance Coverage, Male, Marital Status, Middle Aged, Models, Psychological, Motivation, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, Preventive Health Services, Surveys and Questionnaires, Vaccination}, issn = {1091-6490}, doi = {10.1073/pnas.1414826111}, author = {Eric S Kim and Victor J Strecher and Carol D Ryff} } @article {8016, title = {Satisfaction with aging and use of preventive health services.}, journal = {Prev Med}, volume = {69}, year = {2014}, note = {Times Cited: 0 0}, month = {2014 Dec}, pages = {176-80}, publisher = {69}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVE: Preventive health service use is relatively low among older age groups. We hypothesized that aging satisfaction would be associated with increased use of preventive health services four years later.

METHOD: We conducted multiple logistic regression analyses on a sample of 6177 people from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative study of U.S. adults over the age of 50 (M age=70.6; women n=3648; men n=2529).

RESULTS: Aging satisfaction was not associated with obtaining flu shots. However, in fully-adjusted models, each standard deviation increase in aging satisfaction was associated with higher odds of reporting service use for cholesterol tests (OR=1.10, 95\% CI=1.00-1.20). Further, women with higher aging satisfaction were more likely to obtain a mammogram/x-ray (OR=1.17, 95\% CI=1.06-1.29) or Pap smear (OR=1.10, 95\% CI=1.00-1.21). Among men, the odds of obtaining a prostate exam increased with higher aging satisfaction (OR=1.20 95\% CI=1.09-1.34).

CONCLUSION: These results suggest that aging satisfaction potentially influences preventive health service use after age 50.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Chronic disease, Female, Health Behavior, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Humans, Influenza Vaccines, Logistic Models, Male, Mammography, Middle Aged, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, Patient Satisfaction, Personal Satisfaction, Preventive Health Services, Prostatic Neoplasms, Surveys and Questionnaires, United States, Vaginal Smears}, issn = {1096-0260}, doi = {10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.09.008}, author = {Eric S Kim and Kyle D Moored and Hannah L. Giasson and Jacqui Smith} } @article {6855, title = {Sickness and preventive medical behavior.}, journal = {J Health Econ}, volume = {22}, year = {2003}, month = {2003 Jul}, pages = {675-89}, publisher = {22}, abstract = {

Using data from two sources, the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), I analyze the relationship between health status and the likelihood of engaging in medical screening and other preventive behavior. The results show that individuals who are in poorer health are more likely to get flu shots and cholesterol checks, but less likely to have mammograms, pap smears, breast examinations and prostate checks. There is some evidence that suggests that psychological factors such as fear and anxiety may be important reasons why sicker people are less likely to get cancer screens.

}, keywords = {Aged, Anxiety, Breast Self-Examination, Cholesterol, Female, Health Behavior, Health Expenditures, Health Status, Humans, Influenza Vaccines, Male, Mammography, Mass Screening, Middle Aged, Papanicolaou Test, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, Preventive Health Services, Primary Prevention, Prostatic Neoplasms, Retirement, Risk Factors, Vaginal Smears}, issn = {0167-6296}, doi = {10.1016/S0167-6296(03)00042-0}, author = {Stephen Wu} }