Beyond The Individual Impact Of Healthcare Access

Access to healthcare is often framed as an individual concern—whether someone can afford a doctor’s visit, manage chronic illness, or fill essential prescriptions. However, the impact of reduced healthcare access and coverage extends far beyond the individual, creating ripple effects that harm families, communities, economies, and even public health as a whole. Here’s how limiting healthcare access affects society at large.

Strain on Families

When individuals lack healthcare coverage, the burden often falls on their families, both emotionally and financially. Families may take on caregiving roles for sick loved ones, which can lead to missed work, reduced productivity, and financial strain. Without proper medical care, preventable or manageable conditions can worsen, deepening the caregiving burden and creating cycles of stress and hardship within families.

Making It Tangible

A mother without insurance delays seeking treatment for diabetes, leading to complications that require family members to step in as caregivers. This forces her children to miss school and her spouse to reduce work hours, impacting the entire household’s stability.

Worldwide Case Study

In India, families often incur catastrophic health expenditures due to the out-of-pocket model of healthcare. A 2018 study in The Lancet showed that nearly 63 million Indians were pushed into poverty annually due to medical costs, burdening entire households.

Widening Economic Inequality

Healthcare inequities often exacerbate existing economic disparities. Individuals without insurance or access to affordable care are more likely to experience medical debt, which is one of the leading causes of bankruptcy in the United States. This financial instability disproportionately affects low-income households, leaving them with fewer resources to invest in education, housing, or upward mobility. Over time, these inequalities hinder economic growth and deepen societal divides.

Making It Tangible

A low-income worker cannot afford health insurance and faces mounting medical debt after a car accident. While recovering, they lose their job and cannot afford rent, leading to homelessness, which further diminishes their ability to regain financial stability.

Worldwide Case Study

 In Nigeria, the absence of universal healthcare has left many unable to afford basic services, leading to preventable illnesses that entrench poverty. A World Bank report in 2020 emphasized how healthcare inequities deepen socioeconomic disparities.

Reduced Workforce Productivity

When people cannot access preventive care or treatment, illnesses that could have been managed or avoided instead escalate, leading to higher rates of absenteeism and reduced productivity in the workplace. Chronic diseases, untreated mental health conditions, and delayed diagnoses have a direct impact on workers’ performance and employers’ bottom lines. A less healthy workforce also strains industries reliant on manual labor and service-oriented jobs, further hampering economic development.

A U.S. Example

A 2018 report by the Integrated Benefits Institute estimated that U.S. employers lose over $530 billion annually in productivity due to poor employee health. Workers with untreated chronic illnesses like arthritis or mental health conditions often underperform or leave the workforce entirely.

Worldwide Case Study

In Bangladesh, a lack of access to healthcare among garment workers leads to chronic absenteeism, disrupting supply chains and reducing industry efficiency. A 2017 study from the International Labour Organization highlighted this issue.

Public Health Risks With Low Healthcare Access & Coverage

Lower healthcare access doesn’t just affect individual patients—it puts entire communities at risk. When people forgo vaccinations, skip routine screenings, or remain untreated for contagious diseases, the chances of outbreaks and public health crises increase. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how gaps in healthcare coverage can hinder efforts to manage and mitigate public health threats, underscoring the need for universal access to care.

A U.S. Example

The American Hospital Association reported that uncompensated care costs hospitals over $42 billion annually, much of which is recouped through higher premiums for insured patients. For instance, a single uninsured patient’s untreated chronic illness often results in expensive emergency room visits.

Worldwide Case Study

In South Africa, gaps in public healthcare lead to overuse of emergency services for treatable conditions, driving up government healthcare costs. A 2021 Health Systems Trust study found inefficiencies that strain the system and taxpayers.

Social Stability and Trust Through Healthcare

Healthcare disparities can erode trust in societal institutions, particularly when communities perceive that healthcare access is a privilege for the wealthy rather than a right for all. This can lead to social unrest, decreased civic engagement, and a weakening of the social fabric. A society where basic health needs are unmet fosters resentment and divisions that undermine collective progress. A CDC study in 2021 found that communities with low healthcare access experienced more severe outbreaks.

Making It Tangible

In a rural town with limited healthcare access, residents feel abandoned by policymakers. This perception drives mistrust in government and lower voter turnout, weakening civic engagement and creating a sense of disenfranchisement.

A Worldwide Example

In Brazil, limited healthcare access in underserved regions contributed to the rapid spread of Zika virus, highlighting how health inequities worsen public health crises on a national scale.

Impact on Children and Future Generations

Children in families without healthcare coverage are less likely to receive essential immunizations, routine check-ups, and treatment for illnesses. This not only jeopardizes their immediate well-being but also affects their long-term development, educational outcomes, and potential contributions to society. Poor health in childhood often carries into adulthood, perpetuating cycles of disadvantage and reducing the overall health of future generations.

A U.S. Example

A 2020 study by JAMA Pediatrics revealed that children in uninsured households are less likely to receive preventive care, leading to developmental delays and poorer long-term health outcomes.

Worldwide Example

In sub-Saharan Africa, UNICEF reports that children without access to vaccines face higher mortality rates, perpetuating cycles of poverty and reducing the region’s overall economic potential.

Why is this important to think about now

As the next president and Congress prepare to shape healthcare policy, it is crucial to consider the implications of potential budget cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, which serve as lifelines for millions of Americans. Reducing funding for these programs could exacerbate healthcare inequities, limit access to essential services, and increase financial strain on families and communities. Thoughtful healthcare reform is essential to protect vulnerable populations, curb long-term societal costs, and ensure a healthier, more productive nation. Addressing these issues now allows policymakers to create a balanced approach that preserves critical safety nets while addressing broader fiscal concerns.

Conclusion: The Case for Healthcare Access & Coverage

Countries like Canada and Germany demonstrate how universal healthcare systems improve societal outcomes, with lower medical debt, healthier populations, and higher public trust. By adopting similar policies, the U.S. could mitigate these cascading issues and strengthen its social and economic fabric.

The question is not whether we can afford to expand healthcare access, but whether we can afford the costs of inaction. Policies that expand coverage, improve affordability, and prioritize preventive care have benefits that extend far beyond the individual. By ensuring that everyone has access to healthcare, we create healthier families, stronger economies, more resilient communities, and a more equitable society. A society thrives when its people thrive—and that starts with ensuring health is a right, not a privilege.