Objective: This study investigates how the causal effects of cholesterol screening differ by likelihood of using this preventive care service in terms of accessibility gaps and effects on health-related outcomes across groups with advantaged and disadvantaged backgrounds.
Method: We use propensity score matching to analyze a nationally representative sample using data from 2008, 2010, and 2012 waves of the Health and Retirement Study ( N = 3,907).
Results: We find that respondents who are least likely to get their cholesterol tested benefit most from the use of cholesterol screening when they do use it, while its effects are smallest for those who are most likely to use this service.
Discussion: Understanding the heterogeneous effects of preventive health service has important policy implications, particularly in terms of how to maximize the public health benefits of preventive care.
Keywords: Health and Retirement Study (HRS); cholesterol level; cholesterol screening; heterogeneous effects; preventive health services.