Financial Burden on Low-income Families Grappling with Atherosclerotic CVD Remains Heavy

One in four low-income families living with a member with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease experienced heavy financial burdens, according to a new report published in JAMA Cardiology. The researchers for the cross-sectional study identified 22,521 adults with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease from 20,600 families in the analysis (corresponding to an estimated 23 million US adults of mean age 65).

1 in 4 low-income families with an ASCVD member have high financial burden, and 1 in 10 a catastrophic burden due to out-of-pocket health expenses. Even with insurance. Learn more from @rohan_khera, @khurramn1, and @hmkyale https://t.co/j3wmsRF5s8 pic.twitter.com/LIIO1CQO2p

— JAMA Cardiology (@JAMACardio) July 3, 2018

Mean annual family income was $57,143 with a mean annual out-of-pocket expense of $4,415. While financial burden did lessen throughout the study, low-income families were three times more likely than mid- to high-income families of shouldering high financial burden, and a 9-fold increase in the odds for a catastrophic financial burden (corresponding about 2.9 million low-income families nationally). This increased burden even applied among the insured, with 1.6 million low-income families experiencing high financial burden and approximately 721,000 low-income families experiencing a catastrophic financial burden due to out-of-pocket expenditures during the study period.  

“To alleviate economic disparities, policy interventions must extend focus to improving not only access, but also quality of coverage, particularly for low-income families that include members with chronic diseases,” they wrote in the study.  

http://twitter.com/califf001/statuses/1014254468257349633

Heart disease is less about the heart and more about the wallet: It is an economic condition. The "moonshot" is already here – can we make sure everyone can afford it? Important work in @JAMACardio by @rohan_khera @khurramn1 @hmkyale @jvaleromd https://t.co/1loedfe5gt

— Haider Warraich (@haiderwarraich) July 3, 2018

https://twitter.com/WillBleser/statuses/1014278025196826629

https://twitter.com/ArtKellermannMD/statuses/1014653227936165888

Source: JAMA Cardiology