Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Dec 6, 2024 5:02:18 GMT
Long COVID and financial hardship: A disaggregated analysis at income and education levels - Published Dec 2, 2024
Abstract
Objectives
To examine how long COVID is associated with financial hardship (food insecurity, inability to pay bills, or threat of losing service) across income and education levels, and to assess the role of employment loss or reduced work hours in this hardship.
Data Source and Study Setting
We used nationally representative data on 271,076 adults from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
Study Design
We used multivariable binomial logistic regression models to estimate the average marginal effect of long COVID on financial hardships across multiple income and education groups.
Principal Findings
In general, we found a significant positive association between long COVID and the three measures of financial hardships across income and education groups (1–11 percentage points increase, 95% CI 0.00–0.02 and 0.07–0.14, respectively). Mediation analysis showed that lost or reduced hours of employment accounted for a significant portion (6%–20%) of the changes in financial distress.
Conclusions
Long COVID has affected the economic wellbeing of people from all socioeconomic statuses, although at a higher rate for lower income groups. Policy attention is needed to address its economic impacts across income and education levels.
What is known on this topic
17.6 million US adults currently have long COVID and given the prolonged effects of long COVID, it has a high potential of causing financial hardship.
Literature shows a positive association between COVID-19 and financial hardship as well as delayed and forgone medical care.
Literature shows a positive association between COVID-19 and employment loss.
What this study adds
Long COVID is associated with increased financial hardship (1–11 percentage points increase) in almost all income and education groups. Lower income groups with income to poverty ratios below 2.00 are especially vulnerable.
A significant portion of the association between Long COVID and increased financial hardship (6%–20%) is mediated by loss of employment or reduced work hours.
Abstract
Objectives
To examine how long COVID is associated with financial hardship (food insecurity, inability to pay bills, or threat of losing service) across income and education levels, and to assess the role of employment loss or reduced work hours in this hardship.
Data Source and Study Setting
We used nationally representative data on 271,076 adults from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
Study Design
We used multivariable binomial logistic regression models to estimate the average marginal effect of long COVID on financial hardships across multiple income and education groups.
Principal Findings
In general, we found a significant positive association between long COVID and the three measures of financial hardships across income and education groups (1–11 percentage points increase, 95% CI 0.00–0.02 and 0.07–0.14, respectively). Mediation analysis showed that lost or reduced hours of employment accounted for a significant portion (6%–20%) of the changes in financial distress.
Conclusions
Long COVID has affected the economic wellbeing of people from all socioeconomic statuses, although at a higher rate for lower income groups. Policy attention is needed to address its economic impacts across income and education levels.
What is known on this topic
17.6 million US adults currently have long COVID and given the prolonged effects of long COVID, it has a high potential of causing financial hardship.
Literature shows a positive association between COVID-19 and financial hardship as well as delayed and forgone medical care.
Literature shows a positive association between COVID-19 and employment loss.
What this study adds
Long COVID is associated with increased financial hardship (1–11 percentage points increase) in almost all income and education groups. Lower income groups with income to poverty ratios below 2.00 are especially vulnerable.
A significant portion of the association between Long COVID and increased financial hardship (6%–20%) is mediated by loss of employment or reduced work hours.