Title | Health Shocks and Initiation of Use of Preventive Services Among Older Adults. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2018 |
Authors | Ng, BPeng, Jensen, GA |
Journal | J Appl Gerontol |
Volume | 37 |
Issue | 7 |
Pagination | 856-880 |
Date Published | 2018 07 |
ISSN Number | 1552-4523 |
Keywords | Aged, Cholesterol, Early Detection of Cancer, Female, Health Status, Health Surveys, Humans, Influenza, Human, Male, Mammography, Middle Aged, Papanicolaou Test, Prostatic Neoplasms, Vaccination, Vaginal Smears |
Abstract | This article examines whether adverse changes to health or functioning serve as an impetus to begin using preventive services among older individuals with a history of non-use. Using data from the 1998-2008 Health and Retirement Study, the use of mammograms, pap smears, prostate cancer screenings, cholesterol checks, and flu shots is examined among 2,975 self-reported non-users of such services. Older women who experience a health shock are 1.86, 1.50, 1.79, and 1.46 times more likely to begin getting mammograms, pap smears, cholesterol checks, and flu shots, respectively. Older men who experience a health shock are 2.24, 2.72, and 1.64 times more likely to begin getting prostate cancer screenings, cholesterol checks, and flu shots, respectively. All of these results are statistically significant. Thus, older adults often improve their health behaviors after experiencing an adverse health event. |
URL | http://jag.sagepub.com/cgi/doi/10.1177/0733464816657474 |
DOI | 10.1177/0733464816657474 |
User Guide Notes | |
Short Title | Journal of Applied Gerontology |
Alternate Journal | J Appl Gerontol |
Citation Key | 8472 |
PubMed ID | 27449258 |