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Age and gender differences in health service utilization
1Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, School of Health and Social Care, University of Reading, Bulmershe Court, Earley, Reading RG6 1HY. j.keene@reading.ac.uk
Journal of Public Health (Oxford, England)
|January 8, 2005
Summary
This study reveals that women, especially older women, are disproportionately represented in health and social care populations. Analyzing age and gender profiles in shared care services can improve healthcare planning.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Population Health Management
- Social Care Analysis
Background:
- Identifies a research gap in understanding age and gender demographics within single and inter-agency health care populations.
- Highlights the need for detailed population studies to inform service provision.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze and compare the age and gender characteristics of single health agency and inter-agency 'Shared Care' populations.
- To provide a comprehensive population study of diverse healthcare service users.
Main Methods:
- Combined anonymous data from Community Health, Mental Health, and Social Services populations over three years.
- Compared age and gender profiles between single-agency and 'Shared Care' (inter-agency) service users within a county Health Authority.
Main Results:
- Females constituted approximately two-thirds of all care populations, significantly higher than the general population (51.3%).
- Inter-agency 'Shared Care' populations showed a distinct profile of older females, with variations across specific service combinations.
- Older males in Community Health services were more likely to receive rehabilitative support.
Conclusions:
- Age and gender profiling clarifies health and social care service utilization patterns.
- High proportions of women, particularly older women, are evident in health and social care.
- Population analysis can inform effective single and inter-agency shared care planning and commissioning.