Manik Ahuja, Jessica Stamey, Johanna Cimilluca, Kawther Al Skir, Mary K Herndon, Kathleen Baggett, Thiveya Sathiyasaleen, Praveen Fernandopulle
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Substance use and misuse have a negative impact on health care outcomes, specifically in the older adult population. Older adults are at risk due to several factors occurring toward the end of life such as changing family dynamics, loss of friends and loved ones, and chronic diseases. Substance use in older adults with chronic diseases in rural areas remains poorly studied. This study examines older adults greater than 55 of age in the state of Tennessee, U.S.A.
Design and methods: Data was extracted from the 2019 National Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) with a subsample for the State of Tennessee (N = 6242) and individuals over age 55 (N = 3389).
Results: At least 33.7% (N = 1143) of older adults have a chronic disease, and 24.4% (N = 828) have at least two or more chronic diseases. Alcohol use in the past month was reported in 29.4% of older adults; however, chronic disease status was not associated with alcohol use. Marijuana use and smoking in the past month were significant for older adults with two or more chronic diseases. Low income and less high school education were associated with chronic disease and smoking.
Conclusions: Marijuana use and smoking were found to be significant in older adults with chronic disease, but not with alcohol use. Preventative measures such as screening tools, education, and providing resources to patients should be targeted to populations at risk to promote overall health outcomes.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Public Health Research (JPHR) is an online Open Access, peer-reviewed journal in the field of public health science. The aim of the journal is to stimulate debate and dissemination of knowledge in the public health field in order to improve efficacy, effectiveness and efficiency of public health interventions to improve health outcomes of populations. This aim can only be achieved by adopting a global and multidisciplinary approach. The Journal of Public Health Research publishes contributions from both the “traditional'' disciplines of public health, including hygiene, epidemiology, health education, environmental health, occupational health, health policy, hospital management, health economics, law and ethics as well as from the area of new health care fields including social science, communication science, eHealth and mHealth philosophy, health technology assessment, genetics research implications, population-mental health, gender and disparity issues, global and migration-related themes. In support of this approach, JPHR strongly encourages the use of real multidisciplinary approaches and analyses in the manuscripts submitted to the journal. In addition to Original research, Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, Meta-synthesis and Perspectives and Debate articles, JPHR publishes newsworthy Brief Reports, Letters and Study Protocols related to public health and public health management activities.