Health insurance status and cardiovascular disease risk factors among 50-64-year-old U.S. women: findings from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

To examine the cardiovascular disease risk factors profile and use of preventive health services for cardiovascular disease among uninsured women aged 50-64 years, we studied data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES III), conducted from 1988 to 1994. Insured women (n = 1308) and uninsured women (n = 303) had similar levels of blood pressure and lipids, but uninsured women were more likely to be current smokers, sedentary, and overweight and to consume less fiber, vitamin C, folate, calcium, and potassium than insured women. Compared with insured women, uninsured women were less likely to have had their blood pressure checked during the previous 6 months, to have had their cholesterol level checked, and to be aware of hypercholesterolemia. Insured women (24.9%) were three times more likely to use estrogen replacement therapy than uninsured women (7.9%). NHANES III data suggest that women without health insurance have a worse cardiovascular disease risk factor profile and use healthcare services less frequently than women with health insurance.