Preventive medicine
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In general, older adults use a greater proportion of health care services than other age segments of the population. Alcohol abusers also use a greater proportion of health care services than alcohol nonabusers. Therefore we expected that among older adults, alcohol consumption would be positively related to health service use. In a sample of older adults, this study examined the relationship between alcohol consumption and an indicator of health service use--the self-reported number of physician visits. ⋯ Other research suggests that the rates of alcohol-related hospital admissions among older adults are on par with those of myocardial infarctions--an indication that harmful use of alcohol in older adults is going undetected. We found heavier alcohol consumption associated with fewer physician visits. This underscores the need for a better understanding of the role alcohol serves in the health perceptions of older adults. Broadening our knowledge in this area would be of benefit not only to the well-being of individuals also for health services policy considerations.
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Preventive medicine · May 1995
Multicenter StudyDietary saturated and trans fatty acids and cholesterol and 25-year mortality from coronary heart disease: the Seven Countries Study.
In the Seven Countries Study associations between intake of individual fatty acids and dietary cholesterol were studied in relation to serum cholesterol and 25-year mortality from coronary heart disease. All analyses concern only intercohort comparisons. ⋯ Interpreted in the light of experimental and clinical studies, the results of these cross-cultural analyses suggest that dietary saturated and trans fatty acids and dietary cholesterol are important determinants of differences in population rates of coronary heart disease death.
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Preventive medicine · May 1995
The seven health practices, well-being, and performance at work: evidence for the value of reaching small and underserved worksites.
Research conducted over several decades demonstrates rather convincingly that seven health practices predict future mortality rates, morbidity, and disability. The current study was designed to determine the extent to which these health practices predict more proximal wellness and illness factors. ⋯ The pattern of findings was remarkably similar to previous work demonstrating the more distal impact of the seven health practices and suggests the value of encouraging good employee health practices at small and underserved worksites.