Elderly veterans at risk for nutrition-related cardiovascular disease
1992
Moran, M.B. | Naughton, B.J. | Hughes, S.L.
Preventive measures for cardiovascular disease may have an impact on health and health care costs. Nutrition education and behavior modification have been recommended for the reduction of cardiovascular risk factors in the elderly. Few data are available on the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors and conditions that may influence nutrition counseling strategies among elderly men who seek care in Veterans Administration (VA) outpatient clinics. Such information could be used to (a) identify the risk factors affecting the largest number of veterans, (b) justify programs and services aimed at reduction of risk factors, (c) determine potential demand for services, (d) tailor services to meet special needs of the population, and (e) develop strategies for measuring the impact of programs to reduce risk factors. Our findings indicate that unmet needs exist among elderly men when they initially seek care in VA outpatient facilities. These needs may be addressed through nutrition intervention programs. VA outpatient facilities should periodically assess and revise resource allocations and treatment strategies to respond to the needs of the growing population of elderly veterans. Treatment strategies should be tested to determine their effect on the risk factor of interest and on overall nutritional status.
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