Economic Downturn Takes Toll on Health of Americans With Heart Disease, Diabetes, or Cancer, Poll Finds

Abstract

A new poll from researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and Knowledge Networks released November 18, 2010, shows that many people with heart disease, diabetes, or cancer believe the economic downturn is affecting their health and will have further negative impacts in the future. Many Americans with these illnesses face financial problems paying for medical bills in this economy and most do not believe the new national health care reform law (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act 2010) will help them. This national poll is the first in a collaborative series of polls by the two research groups that is focused on people with heart disease, diabetes, or cancer; it was conducted October 27–31, 2010. More than one third of those with heart disease (35%) or diabetes (39%) say that the economic downturn has had a negative impact on their health, and more than one fifth of those with cancer (21%) say the same. An even greater share of people with each disease say the economic downturn will negatively affect their health in the future (47% of those with heart disease, 48% of those with diabetes, and 27% of those with cancer). In addition, the economic downturn has led many with heart disease, diabetes, or cancer into financial problems regarding medical bills. Roughly one third of those with heart disease (35%) or diabetes (34%) and one fifth of those with cancer (22%) say the economic downturn has forced them to use up most or all of their savings to cover medical expenses, co-payments, and other fees related to their illness. Between one fifth and one quarter of these groups have gone into credit card debt (25% of those with heart disease, 26% of those with diabetes, and 19% of those with cancer). Smaller percentages declared bankruptcy because of the economic downturn's impact on their ability to pay for medical care (4% of those with heart disease, 9% of those with diabetes, and 3% of those with cancer). The poll also reveals that approximately 4 in 10 Americans with heart disease (43%) or diabetes (42%) and one fifth of those with cancer (21%) say the economic downturn has made it more stressful for them to manage their illness. As a result of the downturn, many patients with heart disease or diabetes state they are cutting back on care from providers and regimens they follow at home to help manage their illness. For example, roughly one fifth of those with diabetes (19%) say they have skipped or delayed appointments with their doctor or nurse, and 15% say they have skipped or delayed recommended diagnostics or laboratory tests. At home, 18% of those with diabetes have not been able to follow the diet their provider recommended, and 23% say they are testing their blood sugar less often than recommended. Persons with heart disease are cutting back to a similar degree, whereas those with cancer are less likely to be cutting back as a result of the economic downturn. Finally, <15% of people with heart disease, diabetes, or cancer believe they will be better off under the new national health care reform law (14% of those with heart disease, 14% of those with diabetes, and 11% of those with cancer). By comparison, approximately 4 in 10 believe they will be worse off under the new law (41% of those with heart disease, 38% of those with diabetes, and 43% of those with cancer), and the remainder believe the law will not make much of a difference (34% of those with heart disease, 29% of those with diabetes, 38% of those with cancer) or do not know what the law's impact will be for them (11% of those with heart disease, 19% of those with diabetes, 8% of those with cancer).