Abstract 14890: Gender Disparities in Cardiovascular Disease Preventive Services Utilization in a Contemporary Non Elderly Adult Population in the United States.

Introduction: Optimal utilization of preventive services across gender is critical to counter the growing cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden. It is well known that women with established CVD report greater use of health care services than men, however, whether these differences extend for preventive services is unknown. As such, we aimed to study the gender disparities in CVD preventive services utilization in a contemporary non-elderly US adult population. Methods: In a nationally representative sample of adults aged 18-64 years, participating in the National Health Interview Survey (2012-2016), we compared the utilization of CVD preventive services among men and women in the last 12 months, using 6 variables: 1) blood pressure check, 2) cholesterol check, 3) blood sugar check, 4) diet advice, 5) advice against smoking, and 6) preventive aspirin use. Results: A total of 131,441 participants, corresponding to 35 million US adults annually (50.9% women), were included. Overall, 80% reported blood pressure, 58% cholesterol, and 38% blood sugar check in the last 12 months. Moreover, only 26% received advice on diet and 9% on smoking cessation. Utilization of aspirin was noted in 12% of the non-elderly population. As compared to women, men had lower odds of reporting having a blood pressure check [OR 0.53, 95% CI (0.50, 0.56)], cholesterol check [OR 0.76, 95% CI (0.74, 0.78)], blood sugar check [OR 0.77, 95% CI (0.74, 0.80)], diet advice [OR 0.83, 95% CI (0.80, 0.86)], and advice against smoking [OR 0.71, 95% CI (0.67, 0.75)] in the preceding 12 months. Conversely, preventive aspirin use was significantly higher in men vs. women [OR 1.40, 95% CI (1.34, 1.45)]. Conclusions: Utilization of CVD preventive services among non-elderly adults in US is suboptimal. A lower utilization of preventive CVD care services was seen among non-elderly men compared with women. These findings have important national implications for implementing equitable preventable CVD services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]