Changes in Healthcare Use Across the Transition From Civilian to Military Life
Abstract
The primary goal of the present study was to examine patterns of health care use in a sample of young adults entering the U.S. Navy and to examine changes in patterns of use over time following entry into the Military Health System (MHS). Analysis of covariance was used to compare health care use at baseline and across time as a function of sex, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, while controlling for differences in physical health status. Few systematic differences in reported use were noted with respect to socioeconomic status or race/ethnicity. Entrance into the MHS was marked by greater use of preventive care than used while still a civilian during the year before entering military service. Women consistently used more health care than did men, and women's use increased more over time. However, this disproportionate increase was largely driven by pregnancy during military service. Whereas both men and women reported significant increases in outpatient visits over time, only pregnant service women reported a significant increase over time in hospitalizations (and a marginally significant increase in emergency department visits). Patterns of increased use among female service members parallel those of their civilian peers. In contrast, unlike their civilian counterparts, male service members demonstrated increased use of preventive care but no increase in use of emergency department care over time. These results suggest that individuals with access to universal health care are likely to increase their overall use of services. However, these effects were quite small in absolute terms, and they were strongest for preventive care rather than more intensive and expensive kinds of services.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA616755
Entities
People
- Cynthia J Thomsen
- Joel S. Milner
- Lex L. Merrill
- Stephanie K. Mcwhorter
- Valerie A. Stander
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center