Associations Between Tattooing and Health Status: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study of Adults in Utah, 2020-2022
AI Summary
Ever having a tattoo was associated with poorer self-reported overall health, especially among women (adjusted PR 3.08).
Tattooed persons showed higher prevalence of obesity and chronic pain in both sexes, and substantially greater tooth loss (≥6 teeth) versus untattooed individuals.
Tattooed individuals had higher prevalence of diagnosed depressive disorder; public health should partner with tattoo studios to provide nutrition, dental, mental health and screening resources.
Public Health Rep. 2026 May 29:333549261445868. doi: 10.1177/00333549261445868. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Tattooed individuals have reported reduced access to health care and have a higher prevalence of risky health behaviors compared with individuals without tattoos, but the overall health profile of this population is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to characterize associations between tattooing and health status in Utah.
METHODS: We used data from approximately 27 000 respondents to the 2020, 2021, and 2022 Utah Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys. We used multivariable Poisson regression to calculate the prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% CIs associating ever receiving a tattoo with physical, oral, and mental health status.
RESULTS: In this cross-sectional study, ever receiving a tattoo was associated with self-reported poor versus excellent overall health, particularly among women (PR = 3.08; 95% CI, 2.26-4.21). Tattooing was also associated with obesity (women: PR = 1.40; 95% CI, 1.22-1.61; men: PR = 1.21; 95% CI, 1.04-1.40) and chronic pain (women: PR = 1.59; 95% CI, 1.43-1.77; men: PR = 1.55; 95% CI, 1.37-1.76). Tattooed individuals (vs not tattooed) were more likely to have been diagnosed with a depressive disorder (women: PR = 1.64; 95% CI, 1.53-1.75; men: PR = 1.55; 95% CI, 1.39-1.73) and to have had ≥6 teeth removed versus none removed (women: PR = 2.18; 95% CI, 1.61-2.96; men: PR = 2.88; 95% CI, 2.10-3.95).
CONCLUSIONS: Public health entities may consider partnering with tattoo studios and conventions to provide information about nutrition, exercise, dental care, mental health resources, and health screenings to individuals with tattoos.
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