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This study examined opioid and analgesic misuse, and associated reasons for misuse, among participants without cancer in the United States. We extracted data from three distinct waves of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH, 2017–2019). Using weighted multivariable logistic regression models, we examined the associations between misuse and its reasons. Among individuals without cancer who misused pain relievers, the top three reasons for misuse were to relieve physical pain (62.6%), to get high (29.2%), or to relax (28.9%). For compound analgesics, the top three reasons for misuse were similar: relieving physical pain (67.9%), getting high (22.1%), and relaxation (25.6%). Compared to participants who misused opioids, respondents using compound analgesics and other pain relievers had lowers odds of using pain relievers for getting high (all p <.05). Understanding the underlying reasons for opioid and analgesic misuse can inform development of public health policy and help in determining best practices for prescription and monitoring programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is a country with a large alcohol user population, but it also faces other public health challenges like the growth of older adult population and shift in dietary behaviors in the past few decades. We examined the associations of alcohol consumption and dietary behaviors with severe cognitive impairment among Chinese older men and women. We used panel data from three waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) to examine this topic of interest. Older adults who answered three survey waves were analyzed (age ≥ 65), with a total of 7,950 observations (n = 7,950). In the panel logistic regression models, only former alcohol use was positively associated with severe cognitive impairment among older men (p <.05), but not in older women. Neither current light nor heavy alcohol consumption was associated with cognitive impairment. Older men and women who did not consume or rarely consume fruits and vegetables were more likely to develop severe cognitive impairment (all p <.01). Public health practitioners can use the empirical results from this research to identify what patterns of alcohol use and dietary behaviors can help prevent cognitive impairment among older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has a long history of smoking behavior. Currently, nearly 26% of Chinese citizens smoke daily. This research used a nationally representative database to study the urban and rural disparities on smoking patterns applying the social-ecological model. Using the 2011 China Health and Nutrition Survey, the study sample included adult participants who were at least 18 years of age (n = 12,688). A subanalysis was carried out to investigate smoking cessation duration among smoking quitters (n = 519). Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine participants' smoking status. Zero-inflated negative binomial regression was applied to investigate participants' number of cigarettes smoked per day, and multivariable logistic regression was used to examine nondaily smoking behavior. Negative binomial regression was carried out to assess the duration of smoking cessation for individuals who quit smoking. Urban residents had lower odds of reporting current smoking status (AOR [adjusted odds ratio] = 0.83, 95% CI [0.74, 0.95]) as compared to rural residents. Urban residents also had higher odds of reporting nondaily smoking status (AOR = 1.17, 95% CI [1.04, 1.32]) and smoked fewer cigarettes per day (IRR [incidence rate ratio] = 0.93, 95% CI [0.89, 0.98]) as compared to rural participants. The disparity between urban and rural areas was not observed for smoking cessation duration. Further efforts should target the disparity between urban and rural regions regarding smoking prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been discussed previously that older adults' living arrangements are associated with mortality. This study investigated the relationships between older adults' living arrangements and sleep-related outcomes in China. The nationally representative sample included 4,731 participants who participated on two different occasions, with a total of 9,462 observations (2012 and 2014 waves). Panel logistic regression and panel ordinary least squares regression models were estimated with outcomes of sleep quality and average hours of sleep daily, respectively. Approximately 62% of individuals reported good quality of sleep. We observed that older adults who lived with family members had 17% greater odds of reporting good quality of sleep (adjusted odds ratio = 1.17, 95% confidence interval [1.03, 1.34], p <.05) and reported longer sleep duration daily (β =.334, standard error =.069, p <.01), compared with those who lived alone. Social support is needed to strengthen the residential relationship, especially with family members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secondhand smoking (SHS) has become a critical challenge in Chinese society, and progress on SHS prevention remains unknown. There is little knowledge targeting Chinese older adults generally to investigate the associations between SHS exposure experiences during earlier life stages and health-related measurements. Using cross-sectional data from a nationally representative data set, the 2014 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (n = 4,414), multilevel logistic regression models with random effects for Chinese provinces were used for analyses. Two health-related measurements included self-reported health status and life satisfaction. All regression models included the same set of predictors and covariates with socioeconomic factors and basic biological information. Approximately 40% and 47% of older adults reported SHS exposure in childhood and in younger adulthood at home, respectively. Older adults with SHS exposure in childhood had lower odds of reporting better health status, compared with those who did not have such exposure (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.69, 95% CI [0.55, 0.86], p <.01). However, life satisfaction was not associated with any SHS exposure experiences. Policy makers and public health practitioners should continue to investigate the long-term effect of SHS exposure on human health, including older adults. Policy regarding SHS prevention should be enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific research on the benefits of the Mahjong card game and social activity for sleep remains limited among older adults in China, although these two leisure behaviors are common among Chinese older adults. This study aims to examine this topic of interest in a single research effort. Applying panel data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey from 4718 participants, a nationally representative sample, multivariable logistic regressions were performed to investigate the effects of the Mahjong card game and social activity on quality of sleep and recommended hours of sleep duration daily (between 7 and 8 h of sleep) among Chinese older adults. Of the study sample, approximately 62% of older adults reported good quality of sleep, but only 38% of them slept within the recommended range. Non-gamers had lower odds of reporting good quality of sleep (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.75, 95% CI 0.62, 0.90, p < 0.01), compared with daily Mahjong card gamers. Participation of social activity was not associated with sleep quality. Less frequent participation in social activity was positively associated with recommended hours of sleep duration daily, but there was no significant difference between older adults who did not participate in social activity at all and those who participated daily. The study results suggest that playing the Mahjong card game is associated with better sleep quality among older adults. However, the effect of social activity on sleep-related measurements should be investigated further. The effect of social activity and sleep quality remains inconclusive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has one of the world's largest populations using alcohol. With the trend of increasing alcohol consumption and the rapid growth of its aging population, China has faced imminent public health challenges in the past few decades. This research study aims to investigate determinants related to alcohol consumption behaviors or alcohol dependence among older adults (age ≥60) in China. Using the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey from 2000 to 2014 waves (n = 35,377), we estimated multivariable logistic regression models to examine the factors associated with current alcohol consumption status, alcohol consumption experience, daily consumption, and alcohol dependence. Of all respondents between 2000 and 2014, 5.7% were current alcohol users, 20.3% reported alcohol use experience, 3.3% used alcohol daily, and approximately 1.1% reported alcohol dependence. Current smoking status, health status, and respondents' gender were associated with all alcohol-related behaviors (p <.05). In addition, older adults from newer waves had higher odds of becoming daily alcohol consumers and having alcohol dependence, compared with older adults in the 2000 wave. Older adults living in an institution had lower odds of becoming current alcohol users, compared with those living with household members. Older adults residing in eastern regions had higher odds of becoming current alcohol users, compared with northern residents. Rural residents had higher odds of reporting alcohol use patterns (p <.01), except alcohol use experience. Future public health interventions and promotional strategies should focus on regional and community disparities in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With modern society’s increased pressures, problems arise regarding duration and quality of sleep. Many Chinese seniors report poor quality of sleep. With rapid urbanization, Chinese dietary patterns have shifted dramatically, with vegetables consumption declining rapidly. This research focuses on the associations between fruits and vegetables consumption with basic dietary behaviors and sleeping patterns. Using the 2014 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), multinomial logistic regression models predicted older adults’ (age > = 65) quality and duration of sleep. Predictors included fruits and vegetables consumption, types of cooking oil, staple foods, and meat. The mean age of the study sample was around 85 years. Approximately 56% of respondents consumed fresh vegetables daily. A majority of seniors consumed rice as their staple food. Only 14% of seniors consumed fresh fruits daily. Most seniors consumed meat weekly or more frequently. We found that seniors who consumed fruits and vegetables occasionally had lower odds of reporting good quality of sleep [Fruits: AOR (Adjusted odds ratio) = 0.77; Vegetables: AOR = 0.58] compared with daily consumers. Respondents who reported consuming wheat and half rice-half wheat had higher odds of reporting good quality of sleep (Wheat: AOR = 1.52; Half rice-half wheat: AOR = 1.28), compared with seniors who reported rice as their staple food. Chinese public health practitioners and nutritionists should design dietary plans with more frequent consumption of fruits, vegetables, and wheat to help older adults’ overall health including their sleeping patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]