TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2024//
TI  - Substance use disorders and disparities in Hispanic and non-Hispanic older adults
JO  - Drug and alcohol dependence
A1  - Hernández-Agosto, Jonathan
A1  - Santiago-Quiñones, Darlene I.
A1  - García-Carmona, Lucía M.
A1  - Gutiérrez-Sacristán, Alba
SP  - e111357
EP  - e111357
VL  - 261
IS  - 
N2  - 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 0376-8716
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111357
ID  - ref1
ER  -