مقاله انگلیسی رایگان در مورد استفاده از مراقبت های پیشگیرانه در افراد سالخورده (الزویر)

Containing medical costs through prevention programs has become even more important as many countries’ health care expenditures are high and continually growing. Prevention programs include a range of services such as vaccination, public sanitation and public health programs, preventive and screening services, and disease awareness and education programs. The above preventive measures help reduce medical costs by means of promoting healthy lifestyles, reducing the odds of becoming sick, treating diseases at early stages, and preventing medical complications (Kenkel, 2000). Individuals invest in their own health by adopting good lifestyle and using preventive care services to achieve and maintain the proper health. It is therefore imperative to understand the determinants of preventive care utilization from a broader perspective. Economic variables as well as social factors affect the utilization of preventive care services. Among social factors, social capital plays a crucial role in health status, health care service utilization, and health behavior (Lochner, Kawachi, & Keenedy, 1999; Deri, 2005; Hawe & Shiell, 2000; Kim & Konrath, 2016). Researchers have defined and measured social capital in a variety of ways (Coleman, 1988; Macinko & Starfield, 2001; Putnam, 1993). Generally, social capital consists of certain features of social organizations, such as trust, norms, and networks. Some researchers focus on discussing community-level social capital, while others center on the exploration of individual-level social capital (Paldam, 2000). There is a variety of channels through which social capital impacts individual health, health care service utilization, and lifestyle choices (Kawachi, Kennedy, & Glass, 1999). First, social capital facilitates access to health care services and health care delivery. Second, individuals obtain information via formal or informal networks, which may enhance people’s ability to make healthy choices. Third, social capital improves individual health by enforcing or changing social norms. 1.1. Social capital and health Many prior studies have empirically explored the relationship between social capital indicators and health-related variables such as health status, medical service utilization, and health behavior. Most found that social capital indicators are important determinants of physical health and psychological health. Using aggregate level data, Kawachi, Kennedy, Lochner, and Prothrow-Stith (1997) noted that lower investment in social capital is associated with higher mortality rates. Kawachi et al. (1999) showed that people living in areas with lower social capital are more likely to have self-reported poor health after controlling for various socio-demographic variables. Rose (2000) used Russian data and presented that both social capital and human capital produce significant effects on physical health and emotional health. Using Taiwan data, Cheng and Chiang (2002) exhibited that a higher level of social capital is positively associated with health status and subjective happiness.