Analytic study on the utilization, delivery, and effectiveness of adult preventive health services

Objectives: The study aims to investigate the utilization, delivery, and effectiveness of adult preventive health services during 2007-2009 in Taiwan. Methods: The 2007-2009 National Health Insurance (NHI) database was used to analyze the adult preventive health examination services in terms of utilization rate, providers' share of services, and effectiveness. Results: The utilization rate of adult preventive health examination services was respectively 34.4%, 34.2% and 34.5% in 2007, 2008 and 2009. It varied by age, gender, and year. The utilization rate of people 65 years old and over was higher than that of those aged 40-64. Women's utilization rate was about 8% higher than men's, but old women's was just 3% higher than old men's. Both the elderly and women utilized more services in 2009 than in 2007. In supply side, primary clinics provided the largest share (more than 60%) of services, while medical centers did the least. Of the service providers, 90% were either family medicine or internal medicine specialists. The preventive health examination services respectively claimed the newly diagnosed triple-high cases accounting for 22% of hypertension, 7% of diabetes mellitus, and 23% of hypercholesterolemia. Conclusions: Adult preventive health services presented a positive effect in terms of utilization rate, accessibility, and effectiveness to identify triple-high cases during 2007-2009.