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Alcohol consumption in older adults and Medicare costs.

TitleAlcohol consumption in older adults and Medicare costs.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2006
AuthorsMukamal, KJ, Lumley, T, Luepker, RV, Lapin, P, Mittleman, MA, A McBean, M, Crum, RM, Siscovick, DS
JournalHealth Care Financ Rev
Volume27
Issue3
Pagination49-61
Date Published2006 Spring
ISSN0195-8631
KeywordsAged, Alcohol Drinking, Cardiovascular Diseases, Female, Health Expenditures, Hospitalization, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Medicare, United States
Abstract<p>We determined the relationship of alcohol consumption and Medicare costs among 4,392 participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS), a longitudinal, population-based cohort study of adults age 65 or over in four U.S. communities. We assessed 5-year Parts A and B costs and self-reported intake of beer, wine, and liquor at baseline. Among both sexes, total costs were approximately $2,000 lower among consumers of > 1-6 drinks per week than abstainers. The lower costs associated with moderate drinking were most apparent among participants with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and for hospitalization costs for CVD among healthy participants. Former drinkers had the highest costs.</p>
Alternate JournalHealth Care Financ Rev
PubMed ID17290648
PubMed Central IDPMC4194947
Grant ListN01-HC15103 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01-HC85086 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01-HC85079 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01-HC85083 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01 HC015103 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC85086 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01-HC85085 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01-HC85084 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC85079 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01 HC035129 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01-HC35129 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
K23-AA-00299 / AA / NIAAA NIH HHS / United States