['We sought to understand the association between aggregate health burden-chronic conditions, functionally limiting health problems and mental well-being-and the likelihood of hospitalization among older persons post hip replacement surgery.', 'Eight hundred and twenty-eight Medicare recipients from three U.S. states completed a questionnaire 3 years postsurgery. Using administrative data (Medicare Provider Analysis and Review), participants were prospectively followed for 12 months postquestionnaire to capture hospitalizations. Using logistic regression, demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral characteristics and medical comorbidities were considered as predictors. Subsequently, musculoskeletal (MSK) functional and geriatric problems were added as predictors, then mental well-being and activity limitations. Path analysis was employed to elucidate interrelationships between these predictors, investigating whether mediated effects through mental well-being and activity limitations were operational.', 'Mean age was 76 years (range: 67-96); 63% were women; 23% had ≥1 hospitalization(s). When medical comorbidity, MSK limitations, and geriatric problems were considered, each was independently associated with hospitalization (odds ratios: 1.3, 1.1, 1.2, respectively). When mental well-being and activity limitations were added, these variables were predictive of hospitalization (odds ratios: 1.2, 1.1, respectively), while MSK limitations and geriatric problems were no longer predictive. Path analysis results suggested that the influence of medical comorbidity and MSK and geriatric problems were mediated through mental well-being and activity limitations.'] Do aggregate health burden and the risk of hospitalization in older persons post hip replacement surgery?