Inequalities in preventive cardiovascular service use in persons with functional limitations
Abstract
Background: Persons with functional limitations (FLs) are at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and may face barriers to accessing preventive health care. This study examines the preventive cardiovascular services (PCS) use and factors influencing their utilization among persons with FLs in Serbia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the European Health Interview Survey 2019 conducted in Serbia. Of 13,178 respondents, a total of 1,487 with FLs had complete outcome data and were included in the analysis. The outcome was defined as PCS uptake: reported measurement of blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol within the past year by a healthcare worker. Independent variables were socioeconomic factors, self-perceived health, presence of chronic diseases (CDs), CVD, and body mass index. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated using univariable and multivariable logistic regression.
Results: Among 1,487 respondents, 1,009 (67.9%) reported having all three PCS utilization in the past year. Independent factors associated with PCS uptake were socioeconomic status, self-perceived health, presence of CD, and history of myocardial infarction. Compared to the lowest socioeconomic group, respondents in the middle and higher categories had 1.72 (95% CI: 1.18–2.50) and 2.08 (95% CI: 1.37–3.18) times higher odds of PCS use. Individuals with moderate self-perceived health had higher odds of PCS use than those reporting good health (OR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.19–2.62). The presence of CD (OR = 1.55; 95% CI: 1.07–2.24) and myocardial infarction history (OR = 1.71; 95% CI: 1.26–2.31) were independently associated with PCS use.
Conclusions: PCS uptake among persons with FLs is influenced by socioeconomic inequalities and health status, indicating need-driven utilization. Lower PCS uptake among individuals with better self-perceived health may indicate opportunities to further strengthen proactive preventive approaches.
Key messages: • PCS use among persons with FL and CDs may reflect ongoing prevention of complications of existing CDs.
• Targeted health promotion strategies are needed to improve PCS use in lower socioeconomic groups with FLs.
Related
- The Intersection of Psychological Distress, Cardiovascular Health, and Allostatic Load in Occupational Settings: Implications for Preventive Medicine, Occupational Health, and Clinical Management
- Interleukin-Driven Inflammation and Cardiovascular Risk in People Living with HIV: Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Emerging Preventive Strategies
- Socioeconomic inequalities in uptake of preventive health consultations in France, 2024-2025
- Cardiovascular preventive role of thiazolidinedione in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention
- Depression, functional disability, and cardiovascular disease in adults with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome stages 0–3: a nationally representative cohort study
BibTeX
@article{đuric2026inequalities,
title = {{Inequalities in preventive cardiovascular service use in persons with functional limitations}},
author = {P Đurić and V Jovanović and M Živković Šulović and D Dukić and M Vasić and N Rajović and A Stevanović and B Đikanović},
journal = {The European Journal of Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1112},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1112},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Inequalities in preventive cardiovascular service use in persons with functional limitations
AU - P Đurić
AU - V Jovanović
AU - M Živković Šulović
AU - D Dukić
AU - M Vasić
AU - N Rajović
AU - A Stevanović
AU - B Đikanović
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - The European Journal of Public Health
DO - 10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1112
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1112
AB - Background: Persons with functional limitations (FLs) are at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and may face barriers to accessing preventive health care. This study examines the preventive cardiovascular services (PCS) use and factors influencing their utilization among persons with FLs in Serbia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the European Health Interview Survey 2019 conducted in Serbia. Of 13,178 respondents, a total of 1,487 with FLs had complete outcome data and were included in the analysis. The outcome was defined as PCS uptake: reported measurement of blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol within the past year by a healthcare worker. Independent variables were socioeconomic factors, self-perceived health, presence of chronic diseases (CDs), CVD, and body mass index. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Results: Among 1,487 respondents, 1,009 (67.9%) reported having all three PCS utilization in the past year. Independent factors associated with PCS uptake were socioeconomic status, self-perceived health, presence of CD, and history of myocardial infarction. Compared to the lowest socioeconomic group, respondents in the middle and higher categories had 1.72 (95% CI: 1.18–2.50) and 2.08 (95% CI: 1.37–3.18) times higher odds of PCS use. Individuals with moderate self-perceived health had higher odds of PCS use than those reporting good health (OR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.19–2.62). The presence of CD (OR = 1.55; 95% CI: 1.07–2.24) and myocardial infarction history (OR = 1.71; 95% CI: 1.26–2.31) were independently associated with PCS use. Conclusions: PCS uptake among persons with FLs is influenced by socioeconomic inequalities and health status, indicating need-driven utilization. Lower PCS uptake among individuals with better self-perceived health may indicate opportunities to further strengthen proactive preventive approaches. Key messages: • PCS use among persons with FL and CDs may reflect ongoing prevention of complications of existing CDs. • Targeted health promotion strategies are needed to improve PCS use in lower socioeconomic groups with FLs.
SN - 1101-1262
SN - 1464-360X
ER -