Mathis Arlesia, Rooks Ronica N, Wiltshire Jacqueline
Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, USA.
University of Colorado, Denver, USA.
Gerontol Geriatr Med. 2021 Mar 4;7:2333721421997192. doi: 10.1177/2333721421997192. eCollection 2021 Jan-Dec.
To examine geographic variations in health information use among older adults in the United States. We compared 15,531 adults (age 45 and older) across four U.S. regions. Descriptive analyses were conducted to assess health information seeking and use by year. The relationship between health information seeking or use and regional changes were assessed using binomial logistic regression. Binomial models were adjusted by socio-demographics, chronic conditions, and health information sources. Magnitude and direction of relationships were assessed using adjusted odds ratios (aORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and -values. Only the Northeast region showed increases in health information seeking (3.8%) and use (4.5%) among older adults. However adjusted models showed those living in the Northeast were 28% less likely to use health information to maintain their health and 32% less likely to use health information to treat illness. As a result of the current pandemic, older adults are facing a growing burden from health care expenses. Inability to gather and use health information for personal safety or self care can potentially increase inequalities in health, especially for older adults without personal health care providers.
为研究美国老年人健康信息使用情况的地理差异。我们比较了美国四个地区的15531名成年人（年龄在45岁及以上）。进行描述性分析以评估按年份划分的健康信息寻求和使用情况。使用二项逻辑回归评估健康信息寻求或使用与地区变化之间的关系。二项模型根据社会人口统计学、慢性病状况和健康信息来源进行了调整。使用调整后的优势比（aORs）、95%置信区间（CIs）和P值评估关系的大小和方向。只有东北地区的老年人健康信息寻求（3.8%）和使用（4.5%）有所增加。然而，调整后的模型显示，居住在东北地区的人使用健康信息来维持健康的可能性降低了28%，使用健康信息来治疗疾病的可能性降低了32%。由于当前的疫情，老年人面临着日益沉重的医疗费用负担。无法收集和使用健康信息以保障个人安全或自我护理可能会加剧健康方面的不平等，尤其是对于没有个人医疗保健提供者的老年人而言。
