Later-life transitions and changes in prescription medication use for pain and depression

Abstract

Background: Over the past two decades, prescription medication use for pain and depression increased dramatically. Most studies consider the early life course, despite a similar increase among those in later life. In this paper, we examine whether and how later life transitions may relate to changes in medication use. Methods: We draw on data from the Health and Retirement Study and fixed-effects models to examine whether work, family, and civic transitions in later life are related to changes in the usage of prescription pain and depression medication. Results: Results show that individuals had higher odds of regularly using prescription pain and depression medications in periods when out o..