Changes in Health Indicators Among Caregivers - United States, 2015-2016 to 2021-2022.

Publisher: U.S. Centers for Disease Control Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 7802429 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1545-861X (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 01492195 NLM ISO Abbreviation: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: Atlanta, GA : U.S. Centers for Disease Control
Original Publication: [Atlanta] U. S. Dept. of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Center for Disease Control.

Caregivers*/psychology ; Caregivers*/statistics & numerical data ; Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System*; Humans ; United States/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Adult ; Aged ; Young Adult ; Health Status Indicators ; Adolescent ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Health Status ; Forecasting

Caregivers provide support to persons who might otherwise require placement in long-term care facilities. Approximately one in five U.S. adults provides care to family members or friends who have a chronic health condition or disability. Promoting the well-being of this large segment of the population is a public health priority as recognized by the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers. Although negative associations between caregiving and caregiver health are known, changes in the health status of caregivers over time are not. Data from the 2015-2016 and 2021-2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were analyzed to compare changes in the prevalence of 19 health indicators among cross-sectional samples of caregivers and noncaregivers at different time points. Caregivers experienced improvements in prevalence of four health indicators, whereas six worsened. Some health indicators, such as cigarette smoking, improved for both caregivers and noncaregivers, although smoking prevalence remained higher for caregivers (16.6% versus 11.7%). Prevalence of lifetime depression increased for both groups and remained higher among caregivers (25.6%) than among noncaregivers (18.6%). During 2021-2022, age-adjusted estimates for caregivers were unfavorable for 13 of the 19 health indicators when compared with noncaregivers. Strategies for supporting caregivers are available, and integrating these with existing programs to address mental health and chronic diseases among this population might improve caregiver well-being. For example, many community organizations support caregivers by offering interventions designed to relieve caregiver strain, including skills training, support groups, and care coordination.
Competing Interests: All authors have completed and submitted the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. Erin D. Bouldin reports support from the U.S. Department of Defense, consulting fees (paid to institution) from the Alzheimer’s Association, and volunteer positions with two journals (Preventing Chronic Disease and Disability and Health Journal). No other potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

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Date Created: 20240829 Date Completed: 20240829 Latest Revision: 20240901

20240902

PMC11361412

10.15585/mmwr.mm7334a2

39207933