TY - JOUR
T1 - Older sexual minority adults and driving under the influence, 2015–2019, USA
AU - Andrew Yockey, R.
AU - Yang, Jie
AU - Lee, Joseph G.L.
AU - Griner, Stacey
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2022/3
Y1 - 2022/3
N2 - Introduction: Older lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults are often neglected in healthcare settings, despite increases in risk behaviors and substance use. The present study assessed drugged driving among older adults in the United States and investigated differences by sexual orientation. Methods: The 2015–2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data were analyzed among 43,238 adults aged 50 years or older. Associations between drugged driving and demographic information were examined using weighted logistic regression models. Results: An estimated 4.82% (n = 2,120) of older adults drove under the influence of alcohol in the past year, 1.33% (n = 619) drove under the influence of marijuana in the past year, and 1.48% (n = 683) drove under the influence of illicit drugs in the past year. Compared to heterosexual counterparts, individuals who identified as a sexual minority were at increased risk for driving under the influence, with individuals who identified as bisexual nearly 4 times more likely to drive under the influence of marijuana (95% CI = 2.39, 6.51) and 4.5 times more likely to drive under the influence of illicit drugs (95% CI = 2.84, 7.08) within the past year. Conclusions: Older LGB adults are at increased risk for drugged driving. Harm reduction efforts and behavioral interventions are currently warranted for healthcare improvement.
AB - Introduction: Older lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults are often neglected in healthcare settings, despite increases in risk behaviors and substance use. The present study assessed drugged driving among older adults in the United States and investigated differences by sexual orientation. Methods: The 2015–2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data were analyzed among 43,238 adults aged 50 years or older. Associations between drugged driving and demographic information were examined using weighted logistic regression models. Results: An estimated 4.82% (n = 2,120) of older adults drove under the influence of alcohol in the past year, 1.33% (n = 619) drove under the influence of marijuana in the past year, and 1.48% (n = 683) drove under the influence of illicit drugs in the past year. Compared to heterosexual counterparts, individuals who identified as a sexual minority were at increased risk for driving under the influence, with individuals who identified as bisexual nearly 4 times more likely to drive under the influence of marijuana (95% CI = 2.39, 6.51) and 4.5 times more likely to drive under the influence of illicit drugs (95% CI = 2.84, 7.08) within the past year. Conclusions: Older LGB adults are at increased risk for drugged driving. Harm reduction efforts and behavioral interventions are currently warranted for healthcare improvement.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85119328602&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ssci.2021.105588
DO - 10.1016/j.ssci.2021.105588
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85119328602
SN - 0925-7535
VL - 147
JO - Safety Science
JF - Safety Science
M1 - 105588
ER -