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Journal of Aging and Health
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Differentials by Socioeconomic Status and Institutional Characteristics in Preventive Service Utilization by Older Persons in Costa Rica

Gilbert Brenes-Camacho, PhD, MS

University of Costa Rica, San José, gbrenes{at}ccp.ucr.ac.cr

Luis Rosero-Bixby, PhD, MPH

University of Costa Rica, San José

Objective: The goals of this article are to assess the level of preventive service utilization by older persons in Costa Rica and to determine whether there are differentials in utilization across socioeconomic status (SES) and institutional characteristics. Method: Using data from the Costa Rican Study on Longevity and Healthy Aging (CRELES) project, a study of healthy aging in Costa Rica, the authors use self-reported information on preventive service utilization. The SES differentials are studied using logistic regressions. Results: Preventive services linked to cardiovascular disease prevention are frequently utilized; preventive services linked to cancer screening, vaccination, and sense impairments are not so widely used. Higher SES people are more likely to utilize most preventive services. Utilization rates among uninsured seniors are lower than among their insured peers. Home visits by community health workers are positively associated with higher utilization rates. Discussion: The SES disparities in preventive service utilization exist in Costa Rica, and institutional characteristics are positively associated with increasing utilization.

Key Words: preventive health care services • Costa Rica • socioeconomic status differentials • health insurance • community health workers

Journal of Aging and Health, Vol. 21, No. 5, 730-758 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0898264309338299
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