According to a recent survey, the economic downturn has contributed to poor family health and increased concerns among parents about losing their access to healthcare.
A survey of 2,186 American adults was commissioned by Boehringer Ingelheim to evaluate Americans' views and concerns about healthcare access.
According to the survey, 57 percent of parents say the economic downturn has affected their own health and wellness compared to that of their children. And half of the respondents are worried about their ability to afford the healthcare they or their families need.
"(The) survey findings underscore the importance of expanding healthcare options for every generation," said J. Martin Carroll, president and CEO of Boehringer Ingelheim. "We are committed at all levels to partnering with community organizations to improve health and wellness for those most in need, through supporting free clinics - like the new Boehringer Ingelheim AmeriCares Free Clinic - access to medicines, and more."
Forty-five percent of the survey's respondents say their health insurance generally meets their needs and is reasonably affordable given their current financial situation. The findings offer further perspective on recent reports from the National Association of Community Health Centers that 60 million people in the United States lack access to basic medical care.
Findings from the survey include:
- Six out of 10 respondents say the economic downturn will, or is likely to, affect their own health or wellness in the future. Among parents, this percentage is higher, at 67 percent.
- Of the 75 percent who have specific concerns about healthcare in the current economic downturn, 19 percent of parents are worried most of all about losing their health insurance.
- About two-thirds would seek out and go to a free clinic on a regular basis to meet their and their families' healthcare needs if they lost or could not afford health insurance, had no health insurance or could not qualify for a government-sponsored healthcare program.