Close
IntroductionKey FindingsNational InsightsPrevalence of Unhealthy BehaviorsPrevalence of Multiple Unhealthy BehaviorsPrevalence of Zero Unhealthy BehaviorsOdds of Reporting Fair or Poor Health StatusState InsightsMultiple Unhealthy Behaviors: Education-Based DifferencesConclusionsAppendix 1Appendix 2Appendix 3Appendix 4FootnotesAbout United Health Foundation
The prevalence of multiple unhealthy behaviors, or risk factors, has been linked to increased risk of chronic disease morbidity and mortality. [xlii], [xliii], [xliv], [xlv]
Related Research on Individual and Multiple Unhealthy Behaviors
Other studies have analyzed the independent association of unhealthy behaviors and low health status, statistically controlling for the other unhealthy behaviors. [xlii], [xlvi] An analysis of National Health Interview Survey data from 2001 found the prevalence of three or more risk factors in adults to be 17% (current smoker, obese/overweight, physically inactive, excessive drinker). [xlii] Nationally representative studies have found a lower prevalence of multiple unhealthy health behaviors among women, the older population and those with higher education levels. [xlii]
Related Research on Multiple Unhealthy Behaviors and Fair or Poor Health Status
Using 2001 and 2002 BRFSS data, Strine et al showed that current smokers were more likely to report fair or poor health (OR=1.7) and to report 14 or more poor mental health days (OR=2.3), after adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, employment status, and marital status. [xlvi] An analysis of 2011 Georgia BRFSS data showed a 2.8 times greater odds of fair/poor self-perceived health among those reporting engaging in more than one health risk behavior (smoking, physical inactivity and binge drinking). [xlvii] Studies within specific populations of risk behaviors and self-rated health found that excessive drinking either had no significant effect or (a protective effect) on self-rated health. [xlviii], [xlix]