Impact of health risk factors on healthcare resource utilization, work-related outcomes and health-related quality of life of Australians: a population-based longitudinal data analysis

Abstract

Background: Health risk factors, including smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, overweight, obesity, and insufficient physical activity, are major contributors to many poor health conditions. This study aimed to assess the impact of health risk factors on healthcare resource utilization, work-related outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Australia. Methods: We used two waves of the nationally representative Household, Income, and Labor Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey from 2013 and 2017 for the analysis. Healthcare resource utilization included outpatient visits, hospitalisations, and prescribed medication use. Work-related outcomes were assessed through employment ..