Year: 2022
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: Cannabis use is increasing faster among both middle-aged and older adults compared to younger adults, but its demographic and physical health correlates comparing middle-aged and older adults need further exploration. We examined data from a US representative sample of middle-aged (50–64 years, Nf8,932) and older (65+ years, Nf5,806) adults from the 2012–2013 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC-IIII). We conducted logistic regression analyses to test associations of cannabis use with demographic and past-year physical health correlates and examined differences between the two age groups. An estimated 5.6% of middle-aged and 1.3% of older adults used cannabis in the past year. Compared to middle-aged adults, older adults had higher rates of cannabis use for medical purposes (15.8% vs. 12.3%, p=0.033). Both age groups had increased odds for being male (Odds Ratio (OR)=2.32 and 2.63, for middle-aged and older adults, respectively) and residing in the West (OR=1.82 and 3.04, respectively). Middle-aged cannabis users were at decreased odds for having at least some college education (OR=0.63), income >$70,000 (OR=0.37), being married (OR=0.32), and reporting excellent/very good general health (OR=0.65). Middle-aged cannabis users were at increased odds for reporting digestive disease (OR=1.96), musculoskeletal pain (OR=1.34), and nerve pain (OR=1.77), while older cannabis users were only at increased odds for reporting digestive disease (OR=2.91). Findings indicate differences in cannabis use correlates between middle-aged and older adults. With increasing legalization of cannabis nationally, improved understanding of these correlates among more recent cohorts will assist in monitoring cannabis use among the older adult population.
Source: Innovation in Aging
Authors: Kevin Yang, Jaclyn Bergstrom, Alison Moore
Institution: University of California San Diego
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmacology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,615
OpenAlex ID: W4312003527