目標：檢視非正式社會支持網絡對健康檢查服務利用的影響。方法：非正式社會支持以戶基護航網絡概念為基礎，檢視不同網絡型態對健康檢查服務利用的影響。戶基護航網絡由家戶型態、常連絡不同住家人、常連絡親屬及常連絡朋友等四圈所構成。分析資料來源，為1993年、1996年與1999年國民健康局的台灣中老年人身心狀況調查資料。結果：控制了其它相關影響變項，全民健保實施後，1999年資料分析結果顯示具有常連絡朋友網絡者，會顯著的增加其健康檢查服務利用，但是兩代或以上家戶、不同住家人、與親屬之網絡則無顯著影響；而1996年與1999年資料分析結果則顯示戶基護航網絡圈數越多者，亦會傾向利用健康檢查服務。結論：朋友的社會支持可以促進老年人健康檢查服務的利用。

Objectives: To examine the effect of informal social support structures on the use of physical health examination services. Methods: A household-based convoy was used to reflect an individual's informal social structure. This variable included four circles: type of household, and frequent-contact non-co-residing family members, relatives, and friends. Data were obtained from "The Health and Living Conditions of the Middle Aged and the Elderly" complied by the Health Promotion Bureau of the National Health Administration in 1993, 1996, and 1999. Results: In 1999, after the implementation of National Health Insurance, frequent-contact friends had a significant positive effect on the use of physical health examinations when other relevant factors were controlled; however, two generations or more households, and non-co-residing family members or relatives did not have a significant effect. In addition, the analytical results of 1996 and 1999 data indicated that respondents with more circles were more inclined to have physical health examinations. Conclusions: Social support received from relatives and friends were able to promote the use of physical health examination services.