NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 9, 2014
Contact: Lulu Francois (215.825.8202 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
PHMC statistics show that Southeastern Pennsylvanians face financial decisions that could negatively impact their health
PHILADELPHIA— Due to cost of living burdens, many low-income adults across the Southeastern Pennsylvania (SEPA) region face difficult financial decisions that could negatively impact their health. One in eight adults (12.5%) were sick during the past year but did not seek care due to cost, representing approximately 389,400 adults, and 14.8% did not receive prescription drugs due to cost, according to survey data released today from the 2012 Southeastern Pennsylvania Household Health Survey, a survey conducted by Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) Center for Data Innovation.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that on a national basis, healthcare expenses make up a significant proportion of the average individual's budget, or $3,556 per consumer. This high healthcare cost demonstrates why SEPA low-income adults choose to cut costs by not seeking care or receiving prescription drugs, allowing them to reduce their financial burdens.
The SEPA Household Health Survey data below focuses on the competing financial needs many adults in SEPA face, including paying for healthcare visits, prescriptions, meals and housing.
Regular Source of Care
11.2% of adults in our region have no regular source of primary care. The figures are much higher among adults living below the Federal Poverty Level, with one in five poor adults (18.2%) reporting they have no regular source of care, as compared with 10.2% of non-poor adults.
Healthcare Appointments
8.3% of adults in SEPA have missed a healthcare appointment due to transportation barriers in the past year, representing approximately 258,300 adults. Adults living in poverty are much more likely to face transportation barriers to care, with more than one-quarter (27.9%) reporting a missed appointment due to transportation, as compared with 5.6% of adults living above the Federal Poverty Level. Among the very poor, those living below 50% of the Federal Poverty level, about one-third (32.0%), were unable to get to an appointment due to transportation.
Health Insurance
Across SEPA, 12.4% of adults aged 18-64 have no public or private health insurance. Among lower income adults, this is a common problem. More than one-quarter (25.9%) of adults 18-64 living in poverty in our region are uninsured, as are 10.4% of adults living above the Federal Poverty Level.
Forego Care
Cost is a huge factor for adults in their decision to seek treatment for health issues. In the five-county area, one in eight adults (12.5%) were sick during the past year but did not seek care due to cost; representing approximately 389,400 adults. 14.8% did not receive prescription drugs due to cost. Adults in poverty were about twice as likely to forego care due to cost, with 21.9% of adults in poverty and 11.2% of adults living above the Federal Poverty Level facing cost barriers to care.
Cut or Skipped Meals
One in eight SEPA adults (12.5% or about 390,400) have cut a meal's size or skipped a meal altogether due to cost in the past year. Among adults in poverty the risk is much greater, with more than one in three adults in poverty (35.5%) cutting or skipping a meal as compared with 9.4% of adults living above the Federal Poverty Level.
Housing Costs
More than four in ten adults in our region (44.3%) find their monthly housing costs "somewhat difficult" or "very difficult" to afford. That represents 407,300 adults. Seven in 10 adults in poverty in SEPA (70.0%) have difficulty paying for housing, as compared with 40.1% of adults not living in poverty.
Help Addressing Financial Decisions
Clarifi, a PHMC affiliate, works with local low-income individuals and families struggling with financial challenges —many a result of health-related issues. Clarifi recognizes that financial constraints and health problems often go hand-in-hand. Many clients who struggle financially have recently faced a major illness, accident, hospitalization, loss of insurance or other health challenge. Clarifi staff have worked with clients presenting health issues by providing referrals, checking in on health problems and helping clients make difficult financial choices like buying medication or making mortgage payments.
The Household Health Survey is conducted by telephone and includes 10,000 households in the SEPA region (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties). For more information about these findings, contact Rose Malinowski Weingartner at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
About Public Health Management Corporation Center for Data Innovation
Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) is a nonprofit public health institute that creates and sustains healthier communities. The Center for Data Innovation includes the Community Health Data Base (CHDB) and its annual Household Health Survey, one of the largest regional health surveys in the country. The Pew Charitable Trusts, William Penn Foundation, United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, United Way of North Penn, Green Tree Community Health Foundation, North Penn Community Health Foundation, Thomas Scattergood Foundation, Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation, and over 350 local agencies from the health, government, nonprofit and academic sectors, help to support the CHDB and survey. For more information visit www.phmc.org or contact Francine Axler at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
About Clarifi
Clarifi is a nonprofit organization that has been working since 1966 to help more than half a million individuals in the Greater Philadelphia region identify and secure the most important assets in their lives to achieve Lifelong Financial Literacy. Formerly named Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Delaware Valley, Clarifi partners with other local nonprofit organizations, financial institutions, schools and local, state and national government agencies to impact more people and communities throughout the region. Clarifi believes everyone should have access to the information and technology required to take control of their personal financial wellbeing, no matter their economic status. To learn more about Clarifi, visit www.clarifi.org.
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