Impact of Baby Boomers on hospitalizations for coronary heart disease and stroke in the United States

Objective.: Comparison of hospitalizations for coronary heart disease and stroke in older Baby Boomers, aged 45-54 years (the 1946-1955 birth cohort) in 2000 with that of the 1936-1945 birth cohort in 1990 and the 1926-1935 birth cohort in 1980. Method and data source.: Analysis of the annual National Hospital Discharge Survey that collects data on discharges from non-federal short-stay hospitals. Results.: Among hospitalizations for coronary heart disease, 294,000 (15.4%) in 1980, 289,000 (14.7%) in 1990, and 329,000 (15.2%) in 2000 occurred among adults aged 45-54 years. However, the age-specific hospitalization rate (per 100,000) for coronary heart disease was lower in 2000 than in 1990 or 1980 (p < 0.05). Among hospitalizations for stroke, 37,000 (6.0%) in 1980, 42,000 (6.5%) in 1990, and 64,000 (8.5%) in 2000 were observed in this age group. The age-specific hospitalization rate (per 100,000) for stroke in 2000 compared to that in 1990 or 1980 was higher among women (p < 0.05) but lower among men (p < 0.05). The proportion of transfers to another care facility after discharge in 2000, 1990, and 1980 increased for coronary heart disease and stroke in successive decades of middle-aged adults. Conclusion.: Baby Boomers made a greater impact on absolute numbers of coronary heart disease and stroke hospitalizations in 2000 relative to that of 45-54-year-olds in 1990 and 1980.