People with Credit Card Debt More Likely to Forgo Medical Care, Says Study

According to a recent study in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 58 percent of people who choose to forgo medical care have outstanding credit card or medical debt, indicating that individuals who are experiencing financial difficulties may be putting their own health at risk to avoid racking up additional bills.

Sometimes, no matter how responsible you are with your money, unexpected events can occur that leave you struggling financially and unable to make your credit card payments. Once an individual falls into debt, emerging from it can seem like an insurmountable task, causing them to make difficult decisions that may even be detrimental to their well-being.

According to a recent study in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 58 percent of people who choose to forgo medical care have outstanding credit card or medical debt, indicating that individuals who are experiencing financial difficulties may be putting their own health at risk to avoid racking up additional bills.

Student loans and other “good” debts did not appear have an impact on medical decisions, explained Dr. Lucie Kalousova, Ph.D., who works in the department of sociology at the University of Michigan and authored the study.

“Debts generally thought of as 'bad' debts, such as credit card debt, may have been less planned for some people and may quickly accumulate beyond their ability to repay,” Kalousova said. “Holders of such debts may be more pressured to repay them to avoid interest and stress, and they may forgo medical care to save money under this kind of pressure, even if they really need it.”

Minnesota residents who are struggling to make ends meet don't have to compromise their health in order to emerge from debt. If you've fallen behind on your credit card payments, you should reach out to a Minneapolis, Carver or Anoka County bankruptcy lawyer for consultation. At Atlas Law Firm, we view bankruptcy as a financial tool that can help people resolve burdensome debt, and our professionals can help you determine which filing is right for you.