
pmid: 21317529
Women are more likely than men to forgo, delay, and ration medical care because of medical debt. Using 2003-04 Community Tracking Study Household Survey data, this study examined gender differences in five financial hardships associated with medical debt. Regression analyses accounting for predisposing, enabling, and need factors of health services use indicated women were less likely to report being contacted by a collection agency (b=-0.15, p<.05), using savings (b=-0.23, p<.005), or having any financial hardships associated with medical debt (b=-0.24, p<.05). There were no significant gender differences in putting off major purchases, borrowing money, and problems paying for necessities. Similarly, there were positive and negative relationships between medical debt financial hardships and income, insurance, and health status. Findings suggest that making health care affordable and equitable is critically important for both men and women. Research is needed to understand the differential impact of medical debt, especially among disadvantaged populations.
Adult, Male, Adolescent, Health Services, Middle Aged, United States, Young Adult, Sex Factors, Humans, Female, Patient Credit and Collection, Aged
Adult, Male, Adolescent, Health Services, Middle Aged, United States, Young Adult, Sex Factors, Humans, Female, Patient Credit and Collection, Aged
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 14 | |
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| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
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