Falling, Health Status, and the Use of Health Services by Older Adults

Abstract Background The Internet has become one of the primary sources of health-related information. Less is known about the impact of Internet access and use on health-related outcomes in the older population, which frequently suffer from a digital divide. The main objective of this study was the assessment of the associations between Internet use and variables reflecting health status, the use of health services and health behaviours in the population at least 50 years old. Methods The analysis was carried out on the data set from the telephone-based survey in a sample of 1000 respondents representative for targeted age strata of Polish society. The effects of Internet use were assessed with logistic regression models after adjusting for key socioeconomic variables. Results Mean age (standard deviation) of respondents was 64.2 (9.6). In the study group, 51.1% respondents were Internet users, 19.4% - persons with disabilities, 21.2% were hospitalised at least once, and 51.0% visited health care facilities at least six times in preceding 12 months. The respondents being Internet users less frequently reported chronic diseases (OR, 95%CI: 0.21, 0.16-0.30), disability status (0.52, 0.37-0.72) and higher self-assessed health status (1.64, 1.24-2.16). They also less often used health services in the preceding 12 months (0.77, 0.60-0.99. Internet use was not associated with hospital admission in the preceding year (1.04, 0.76-1.41) and most of the health behaviours (smoking: 1.06, 0.77-1.45, physical activity: 0.85, 0.63-1.15, the consumption of fruits and vegetables: 0.73, 0.50-1.07). Interestingly, Internet users drunk more alcohol (1.52, 1.14-2.02). Conclusions In the population of older adults, the use of the Internet is associated with variables reflecting health status and the utilisation of health services. Higher health status and lower prevalence of chronic conditions among Internet users were found after adjusting for age and other socioeconomic factors. Key messages It was shown that Internet use may be related with more favourable health outcomes. The reported association should trigger further research on the impact of Internet in elderly persons.

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DISPARITIES IN HEALTH STATUS, HEALTH BEHAVIORS AND PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICES OF OLDER ADULTS WITH DIABETES

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.3503 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S966-S966

Author(s):

Sang Ah Chun

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Health Status ◽

Health Services ◽

Health Behaviors ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Preventive Health Services ◽

Preventive Health ◽

Behavioral Risk ◽

Flu Shot ◽

Chi Square Analysis

Abstract The prevalence of diabetes among older adults has increased substantially and health complications resulting from diabetes have significant adverse effects on health status of older adults. While diabetes cannot be cured, it can be managed successfully with healthy lifestyle choices. The purpose of this study is to examine the disparities in health status, health behaviors, and preventive health services for older adults with diabetes. This study used data from the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The sample included older adults 50 and over. Health behaviors included exercise, smoking, and heavy alcohol drinking. Preventive health services included dental visit, flu shot, and colorectal cancer screening. Chi-Square analysis and weighted multivariate logistic regression was performed. Not surprisingly, older adults with diabetes were significantly more likely to be in poor health than those without diabetes. Compared to non-diabetic group, older adults with diabetes were more likely to have had no exercise in the previous month. Interestingly, more older adults with diabetes reported having visited dentist, had flu shot and colonoscopy than those without diabetes. In both groups, older adults who presented health behaviors and received preventive health services were more likely to report good health compared to those who did not. The results suggest that further efforts are needed to address the health disparities for older adults with diabetes. Given the risk of comorbidities and its complications for older adults with diabetes, further research should be directed toward designing better health promotion programs and policies for older adults with diabetes.

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Health status and use of health services among recently arrived men with refugee backgrounds: a comparative analysis of urban and regional settlement in South-east Queensland

Australian Journal of Primary Health ◽

10.1071/py10051 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 66 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Ignacio Correa-Velez ◽

Adrian G. Barnett ◽

Sandra M. Gifford ◽

Donata Sackey

Keyword(s):

Health Status ◽

Health Services ◽

Emergency Departments ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Well Being ◽

Full Potential ◽

Hospital Emergency ◽

Hospital Emergency Departments ◽

Refugee Men ◽

Use Of Health Services

Approximately one-third of refugee and humanitarian entrants to Australia are adult men. Many of these men and their families settle in regional areas. Little is known about the health status of refugee men and the use of health services, and whether or not there are differences between those living in urban and regional areas. This paper reports on the cross-sectional differences in health status and use of health services among a group of 233 recently arrived refugee men living in urban and regional areas of South-east Queensland. Overall, participants reported good levels of subjective health status, moderate to good levels of well-being, and low prevalence of mental illness. Men living in urban areas were more likely to have a long-standing illness and report poorer health status than those settled in regional areas. In contrast, men living in regional areas reported poorer levels of well-being in the environment domain and were more likely to visit hospital emergency departments. Targeted health promotion programs will ensure that refugee men remain healthy and develop their full potential as members of the Australian community. Programs that facilitate refugees’ access to primary health care in regional areas may promote more appropriate use of hospital emergency departments by these communities.

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