Housing Assistance Reduces Financial Hardship for US Renters with Cancer
Housing assistance significantly lowers the risk of financial hardship caused by medical expenses among US renters with cancer, highlighting the importance of supportive policies for improving health outcomes.
Recent research published in JAMA Network Open highlights the positive impact of government housing aid on reducing financial difficulties faced by US renters with a history of cancer. The study found that recipients of housing assistance experienced nearly a seven-percentage point lower risk of financial hardship related to medical expenses. This association signifies that housing support not only alleviates housing insecurity but also improves overall financial stability among cancer survivors, potentially leading to better quality of life and improved health outcomes.
The analysis, based on data from the National Health Interview Survey between 2019 and 2023, included approximately 2,370 adult renters with cancer. Of these, 19.7% received government housing assistance, while 59% faced financial hardship due to medical costs. The findings revealed that those receiving aid were more likely to be racial and ethnic minorities, low-income, unemployed, and in poorer health. Importantly, housing assistance recipients were 6.7% less likely to struggle with medical bills or worry about unexpected expenses, though there was no significant difference in delayed or missed care between the groups.
The study discusses some limitations, such as uncertainties regarding cancer stage and treatment history, as well as the timing of assistance relative to hardship onset. Nonetheless, it emphasizes that housing aid can serve as a crucial safeguard against the financial impacts of cancer, encouraging policies to expand such programs.
Lead author Dr. Katherine Chen from UCLA suggests that increasing access to federal housing assistance could protect the financial well-being of cancer survivors amid rising cancer care costs. The research also points out that many eligible households do not receive aid due to limited funding, highlighting the need for better screening and referral interventions. Co-author Dr. Carole Mangione stresses that policy advocacy is essential to sustain or boost funding for these vital programs.
Overall, this study underscores the importance of housing support as an integral part of comprehensive care for cancer patients, aimed at reducing financial hardship and promoting better health outcomes.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-housing-aid-linked-medical-financial.html
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