Cardiovascular Diseases Health Literacy among Patients, Health Professionals, and Community-Based Stakeholders in a Predominantly Medically Underserved Rural Environment

Mamudu, Hadii M.; Wang, Liang; Poole, Amy; Blair, Cynthia; Littleton, Mary Ann; Gregory, Rob; Frierson, Lynn; Voigt, Carl; Paul, Timir K.

doi:10.14423/smj.0000000000001162

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…25 Southern states represent a major disparity because of the lack of access to healthcare services, higher poverty rates, and poorer overall health. [37][38][39] Our findings demonstrated a significantly higher association for individuals unable to see a doctor because of the cost and ≥ 20 past-month mentally unhealthy days. Similarly, according to the America's Mental Health 2018 study on American's current access and attitudes toward mental health services, the root cause of insufficient mental health services is lack of access, cost, and inadequate health insurance, with one in four Americans having to choose between mental health treatment and paying for daily provisions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 54%

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Association between Financial Barriers to Healthcare Access and Mental Health Outcomes in Tennessee

Ahuja

Cimilluca

Stamey

et al. 2023

Southern Medical Journal

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Objectives: A large number of people cannot afford healthcare services in the United States. Researchers have studied the impact of lack of affordability of health care on the outcomes of various physical conditions. Mental health disorders have emerged as a major public health challenge during the past decade. The lack of affordability of health care also may contribute to the burden of mental health. This research focuses on the association between financial barriers to health care and mental health outcomes in the US state of Tennessee. Methods:We used cross-sectional data contained in the 2019 US Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). We extracted data for the state of Tennessee, which included 6242 adults aged 18 years or older. Multinomial regression analyses were conducted to test the association between not being able to see a doctor with the number of mentally unhealthy days during the past month. We coded the outcome as a three-level variable, ≥20 past-month mentally unhealthy days, 1 to 20 past-month mentally unhealthy days, and 0 past-month mentally unhealthy days. The covariates examined included self-reported alcohol use, self-reported marijuana use, and other demographic variables.Results: Overall, 11.0% of participants reported ≥20 past-month mentally unhealthy days and 24.0% reported 1 to 20 past-month mentally unhealthy days. More than 13% of study participants reported they could not see a doctor because of the cost in the past 12 months. The inability to see a doctor because of the cost of care was associated with a higher risk of ≥20 past-month mentally unhealthy days (relative risk ratio 3.18; 95% confidence interval 2.57-3.92, P < 0.001) and 1 to 19 past-month mentally unhealthy days (relative risk ratio 1.94; 95% confidence interval 1.63-2.32, P < 0.001).Conclusions: Statistically significant associations were observed between the inability to see a doctor when needed because of cost and increased days of poorer mental health outcomes. This research has potential policy implications in the postcoronavirus disease 2019 era with healthcare transformation and significant financial impact.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 54%

“…This is a major problem, particularly for individuals living in southern US states such as Tennessee, where mental health disparities are well documented 25 . Southern states represent a major disparity because of the lack of access to healthcare services, higher poverty rates, and poorer overall health 37–39 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%