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Does the pattern of physical activity matter for health care utilization? Evidence from the Konstanz Life Study

Author

Listed:
  • Simon Spika

    (Department of Economics, University of Konstanz)

  • Friedrich Breyer

    (Department of Economics, University of Konstanz, Germany)

Abstract

Physical activity has been shown to be associated with reduced direct health care utilization and expenditure. For the health effect of physical activity, however, not only the total amount but also the intensity and frequency of physical activity is important. This paper uses data from the Konstanz Life-Study and a hurdle-model to estimate the impact of physical activity patterns on the number of physician visits. The results indicate that in the case of women, vigorous physical activity reduces the number of visits given a positive usage, whereas in the case of men, vigorous physical activity reduces the probability of a first visit. The results however, have to be interpreted with caution because of the limited accuracy of the self-declared physical activity by the participants of the Konstanz Life-Study, collected with the IPAQ-SF questionnaire.

Suggested Citation

  • Simon Spika & Friedrich Breyer, 2017. "Does the pattern of physical activity matter for health care utilization? Evidence from the Konstanz Life Study," Working Paper Series of the Department of Economics, University of Konstanz 2017-02, Department of Economics, University of Konstanz.
    • Handle: RePEc:knz:dpteco:1702
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    File URL: http://www.uni-konstanz.de/FuF/wiwi/workingpaperseries/WP_02_Spika_Breyer_2017.pdf
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    Keywords

    Physical activity; health care utilization; Konstanz Life Study;
    All these keywords.

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