Associations of tattooing with health: a population-based cross-sectional study of ∼27,000 US adults

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Abstract
Objective: To characterize associations between tattooing and health status. Methods: We used data from ∼27,000 respondents to the 2020–2022 Utah Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Multivariable Poisson regression was used to calculate prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) associating ever receiving a tattoo with physical/mental health status. Results: In this cross-sectional study, ever receiving a tattoo was associated with self-reported “poorer” vs. “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 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 six or more teeth removed, vs. none (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.