CINCINNATI, Oh. –The Greater Cincinnati Community Status Survey has found that less than 7 percent of adults in Southeast Indiana said they or someone in their home went without doctor’s care in the past 12 months because the household needed the money for food, clothing or housing.
This compares to an overall regional percentage of 15 percent. The regional number has remained relatively steady since 2010, after nearly tripling between 2005 and 2010.
“Timely, appropriate health care has been repeatedly shown to have a positive impact on health outcomes,” says Jennifer Chubinski, Director of Community Research for Interact for Health. “If not treated early, a minor health issue can turn into a serious, chronic and costly health condition. Unfortunately, many people are forced to choose between health care and other essential items, which may have long-term health impacts.”
The survey shows the percent of people going without care due to cost varies according to level of education.
30 percent of adults with less than a high school education report going without care due to cost, compared to about 1 in 10 adults with at least a high school education (13 percent).
Only 5 percent of adults with a college degree report choosing between health care and other basic needs.
“Not surprisingly, adults in poverty and without health insurance must make this difficult choice more frequently,” says Chubinski.
Nearly 3 in 10 adults in poor or fair health report going without care due to cost, compared to only about 1 in 10 adults with excellent, very good or good health.
“This may reflect the consequences of being forced to neglect health needs in favor of other basic needs,” says Chubinski.
Consistent with survey responses in previous years, only 1 in 25 adults over age 65 reports going without a doctor’s care for financial reasons. This compares to about 1 in 6 adults aged 18-64.
The 2013 Greater Cincinnati Community Health Status Survey (CHSS) is conducted by the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati. A total of 4,929 randomly selected adults residing in 8 Ohio counties, 9 Kentucky counties, and 5 Indiana counties were interviewed by telephone between August 20, 2013 and Jan. 19, 2014.
