title: Factors associated with first-time use of preventive services in the United States.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine factors associated with first-time use of preventive services based on the Behavioral Model of Health Services Use.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine panels of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey were merged to identify first-time users of 8 preventive services: blood  pressure check, cholesterol screening, colonoscopy, flu vaccination, routine physical, Pap smear, mammogram, and clinical breast examination. Multivariate logistic regressions and sample weights were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Insurance coverage, access to care, and racial/ethnic minorities are  associated with higher odds of first-time use. Findings based on cross-sectional data may not be valid for first-time use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased insurance coverage, better access to care, and a focus on minority population can help nonusers of preventive care to make the transition.
authors.affiliation: Economics Division, Babson College, Babson Park, MA, USA. ygai@babson.edu
authors.forename: Yunwei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gai
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Feng
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011314:Preventive Health Services; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult