Health service utilization among adults aged 50+ across eleven European countries (the SHARE study 2004/5)

Purpose The current study aims to examine the use of preventive and other health services among adults aged 50+ in eleven European countries. Methods The data used were derived from 16,120 adults aged 50+ years participating in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (2004/05). Preventive Health Services Utilization score (PHSUs) and Health Care Services Utilization score (HCSUs) were assessed as a composite value from answers to 12 and 16 questions respectively, on a scale ranging from 0 to 100. Estimations were based on a complex study design. Results Participants from Central European countries were found to have significantly higher mean PHSU and HCSU scores than their counterparts in Northern and Southern regions, ( p