Socioeconomic Status and Access to Healthcare: Interrelated Drivers for Healthy Aging

Abstract

The rapid growth of the global aging population has raised attention to the health and healthcare needs of older adults. The purpose of this mini-review is to: (1) elucidate the complex factors affecting the relationship between chronological age, socioeconomic status (SES), access to care, and healthy aging using a SES-focused framework; (2) present examples of interventions from across the globe; and (3) offer recommendations for research-guided action to remediate the trend of older age being associated with lower SES, lack of access to care, and poorer health outcomes. Evidence supports a relationship between SES and healthcare access as well as healthcare access and health outcomes for older adults. Because financial resources are proportional to health status, efforts are needed to support older adults and the burdened healthcare system with financial resources. This can be most effective with grassroots approaches and interventions to improve SES among older adults and through data-driven policy and systems change.

Relationship between financial well‐being, life satisfaction, and cognitive function among low‐income community‐dwelling older adults: the moderating role of sex

“…Results could also be traced to health‐care accessibility and chronic medical conditions. Older people with higher socioeconomic status, irrespective of sex, reported higher health‐care utilization and were more cognizant of their medical conditions than older adults in lower socioeconomic groups 44 . Furthermore, better chronic disease management was associated with better cognitive function in old age 45,46 …”

Relationships between Socioeconomic Status, Handgrip Strength, and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Middle-Aged Adults

“…Though the reason for SES being included as a risk factor for NAFLD has not been clearly explained, it may closely affect individual lifestyles and living environments. SES disparities can influence dietary habits, accessibility to the healthcare system, and interest, time, and allostatic conditions for exercise [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Because of these possible reasons, SES may be related to the major risk factors of NAFLD, including insulin resistance, obesity, and lipid metabolic disorder [ 6 ].…”

The effect of obesity-related traits on COVID-19 severe respiratory symptoms is mediated by socioeconomic status: a multivariable Mendelian randomization study

“…The mechanisms by which HI is mediating the association between obesity-related anthropometric traits and COVID-19 might be similar to those proposed for other known health outcomes. In general, low-income populations have reduced access to medical care, with subsequent worse health at baseline and lower opportunity to receive adequate treatment to health complications in comparison with high-income groups [45,46]. Finally, these healthcare inequalities are translated into a higher morbidity and mortality risk in communities with a lower household income [47].…”