Article
Educational Differences in Healthy Behavior Changes and Adherence Among Middle-Aged Americans
Journal of Health and Social Behavior
(2013)
Abstract
Although the better-educated are more likely to practice healthy behaviors when measured at one point in time, there is no clear evidence regarding whether more educated people are more likely to initiate healthy behavior changes in the face of new chronic conditions and whether they are better able to adhere to these healthy changes, once made. I use data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) (1992-2010) to examine smoking cessation and starting physical activity by educational attainment over an 18-year period among 16,606 respondents ages 50 to 75. The more-educated are the least likely to smoke and most likely to be physically active in middle age. They are also most likely to make healthy changes overall and better adhere to them. Education also shapes behavior change after a new diagnosis, which likely contributes to socioeconomic status differences in chronic disease management and health outcomes.
Disciplines
Publication Date
2013
Citation Information
Rachel Margolis. "Educational Differences in Healthy Behavior Changes and Adherence Among Middle-Aged Americans" Journal of Health and Social Behavior Vol. 54 Iss. 3 (2013) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/rachel_margolis/1/