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A longitudinal study of the effects of tobacco smoking and other modifiable risk factors on ill health in middle-aged and old Americans: results from the Health and Retirement Study and Asset and Health Dynamics among the Oldest Old survey.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Østbye, T; Taylor, DH; Jung, S-H
Published in: Prev Med
March 2002

BACKGROUND: While the effects of smoking and other modifiable risk factors on mortality and specific diseases are well established, their effects on ill health more generally are less known. Using two national, longitudinal surveys, the objective of this study was to analyze the effect of smoking and other modifiable risk factors on ill health, defined in a multidimensional fashion (i.e., disability, impaired mobility, health care utilization, and self-reported health). METHODS: The analyses were based on the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) (12,652 persons 50-60 years old surveyed in 1992, 1994, 1996, and 1998) and the Asset and Health Dynamics among the Oldest Old survey (8,124 persons 60-70 years old surveyed in 1993, 1996, and 1998). RESULTS: Smoking was strongly related to mortality and to ill health, with similar relative effects in the middle-aged and the elderly. There were consistent adverse dose-response relationships between smoking and ill health in the HRS. Persons who had quit smoking at least 15 years prior to the survey were no more likely than never smokers to experience ill health. A dose-response relationship was found between exercise and ill health. For body mass index and alcohol, there were U-shaped relationships with ill health. CONCLUSIONS: Public health efforts designed to encourage smoking cessation should emphasize improvements in ill health in addition to decreased mortality.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Prev Med

DOI

ISSN

0091-7435

Publication Date

March 2002

Volume

34

Issue

3

Start / End Page

334 / 345

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Survival Rate
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Smoking
  • Sex Distribution
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk Assessment
  • Public Health
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Journal cover image

Published In

Prev Med

DOI

ISSN

0091-7435

Publication Date

March 2002

Volume

34

Issue

3

Start / End Page

334 / 345

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Survival Rate
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Smoking
  • Sex Distribution
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk Assessment
  • Public Health
  • Middle Aged
  • Male