RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important predictor of morbidity and mortality; however, its geographical variation in older adults in the United States has not been characterized. We compared HRQOL among older adults in the 50 US states and the District of Columbia using the Health and Activities Limitation Index (HALex). We also compared the HRQOL of 4 regions: South, West, Midwest, and Northeast. METHODS: We analyzed pooled data from 1997 through 2010 from the National Health Interview Survey for participants aged 65 or older. HALex scores (which range from 0 to 1.00, with higher values indicating better health) were calculated by combining data on participants' perceived health and activity limitations. We ranked states by mean HALex score and performed multivariable logistic regression analyses to compare low scores (defined as scores in the lowest quintile) among US regions after adjustment for sociodemographics, health behaviors, and survey design. RESULTS: Older residents of Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and West Virginia had the lowest mean HALex scores (range, 0.62-0.68); residents of Arizona, Delaware, Nevada, New Hampshire, and Vermont had the highest mean scores (range, 0.78-0.79). Residents in the Northeast (odds ratio [OR], 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57-0.76) and the Midwest (OR, 64; 95% CI, 0.56-0.73) were less likely than residents in the South to have scores in the lowest quintile after adjustment for sociodemographics, health behaviors, and survey design. CONCLUSION: Significant regional differences exist in HRQOL of older Americans. Future research could provide policy makers with information on improving HRQOL of older Americans.
Assuntos
Atividades Cotidianas , Geriatria/estatística & dados numéricos , Indicadores Básicos de Saúde , Atividade Motora , Qualidade de Vida , Idoso , Consumo de Bebidas Alcoólicas/epidemiologia , Índice de Massa Corporal , Etnicidade/estatística & dados numéricos , Feminino , Comportamentos Relacionados com a Saúde/etnologia , Inquéritos Epidemiológicos , Programas Gente Saudável , Humanos , Estilo de Vida , Masculino , Pessoas sem Cobertura de Seguro de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Razão de Chances , Vigilância da População , Análise de Regressão , Características de Residência , Fumar/epidemiologia , Classe Social , Estados Unidos/epidemiologiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of sociodemographic factors on mindfulness practices. METHODS: National Health Interview Survey Alternative Medicine Supplement data were used to examine sociodemographic predictors of engagement in meditation, yoga, tai chi, and qigong. RESULTS: Greater education was associated with mindfulness practices (odds ratio [OR], 4.02 [95% confidence interval [CI], 3.50-4.61]), men were half as likely as women to engage in any practice, and lower engagement was found among non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics. CONCLUSION: Vulnerable population groups with worse health outcomes were less likely to engage in mindfulness practices.