@article{ref1,
title="Substance use disorders and disparities in Hispanic and non-Hispanic older adults",
journal="Drug and alcohol dependence",
year="2024",
author="Hernández-Agosto, Jonathan and Santiago-Quiñones, Darlene I. and García-Carmona, Lucía M. and Gutiérrez-Sacristán, Alba",
volume="261",
number="",
pages="e111357-e111357",
abstract="BACKGROUND: The global longevity revolution increased the older adult population, posing unique health and economic challenges with implications for healthcare, especially substance use disorders (SUD). <br><br>METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of United States older adults, Hispanic and non-Hispanic, who got at least one mental and/or behavioral disorder diagnosis between 2017 and 2021 at age 65 or older. SUD prevalence, prescription frequency changes over time, and comorbidities associated with each medication were compared. <br><br>RESULTS: Electronic health records for 356,133 older adults (110,236 Hispanics and 245,897 non-Hispanics) were analyzed. Notably, 79 % of Hispanics fell below the 100 % federal poverty level, compared to 60 % of non-Hispanics (P<.001). Non-Hispanics also had significantly more average encounters (P=.003) and diagnoses (P<.001). Regression analysis on alcohol-related disorders indicated that the odd ratios of being male (OR=2.93, P<.000), and having low income (OR=1.62, P<.000), increase the odds for this SUD, while being Hispanic and primarily speaking Spanish decreases the odds for all SUDs considered in this study. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This cohort study revealed significant disparities related to social determinants of health between Hispanic and non-Hispanic older adults and emphasizes the need for continuous surveillance of older adults as with SUDs. Differences in comorbidity patterns imply distinct risk factors within each population, influenced by demographic-specific elements. Recognizing these variations is essential for tailoring culturally sensitive prevention, intervention, and treatment strategies to each population's unique needs.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0376-8716",
doi="10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111357",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111357"
}