Patient factors related to the odds of receiving prevention services in Veterans Health Administration medical centers

Objective: To examine the association between patient characteristics and t he odds of receiving 13 health promotion/disease prevention services recomm ended by the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) for average-risk in dividuals. Methods: A mail survey was sent to a random sample of 68,422 veterans who o btained primary care from any of the 153 Veterans Health Administration fac ilities in 1996; 44,304 responded (adjusted response rate was 68%). Multiva riate logistic regression models were used. Results: Demographic factors, health risk behaviors, and self-reported heal th were associated with the odds of receiving prevention services. Current smokers, heavy alcohol drinkers, and females were less likely to receive ma ny health promotion services, whereas regular exercisers, overweight indivi duals, males, those reporting poorer health, individuals reporting high or controlled blood pressure, and those reporting high or controlled cholester ol levels were more likely to receive USPSTF-recommended prevention service s. Conclusion: Substantial proportions of veterans were likely to obtain preve ntion services recommended by the USPSTF for average-risk individuals. Neve rtheless, veterans who reported being current smokers, heavy drinkers, or f emale were less likely to obtain these services. These subgroups may benefi t from additional initiatives.