Healthcare Costs and Depression in Older Adults
Author Information
Author(s): Choi Namkee
Primary Institution: The University of Texas Austin
Hypothesis
Healthcare cost burden is associated with higher rates of depressive and anxious feelings among older adults.
Conclusion
Older adults facing healthcare cost burdens are significantly more likely to experience frequent depressive and anxious feelings.
Supporting Evidence
- Nearly 12% of older adults reported healthcare cost burden.
- Over 18% reported daily or weekly depressive/anxious feelings.
- The risk of healthcare cost burden was higher among women and racial/ethnic minorities.
- Healthcare cost burden reporters were 1.8 times more likely to report high-frequency depressive/anxious feelings.
Takeaway
When older people have to spend a lot on healthcare, they often feel sad or anxious. It's important to help them with these costs.
Methodology
The study used data from the National Health Interview Survey from 2018-2021 and applied generalized linear modeling analyses.
Participant Demographics
Older adults aged 65 and above, with a focus on women and racial/ethnic minorities.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI=1.35-1.65 for Blacks; 95% CI=1.12-1.44 for Hispanics; 95% CI=1.64-1.88 for healthcare cost burden reporters.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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