Self-reported financial barriers to care among patients with cardiovascular-related chronic conditions.
BACKGROUND
People with chronic conditions who do not achieve therapeutic targets have a higher risk of adverse health outcomes. Failure to meet these targets may be due to a variety of barriers. This article examines self-reported financial barriers to health care among people with cardiovascular-related chronic conditions.


METHODS
A population-based survey was administered to western Canadians with cardiovascular-related chronic conditions (n = 1,849). Associations between self-reported financial barriers and statin use, the likelihood of stopping use of prescribed medications, and emergency department visits or hospitalizations were assessed.


RESULTS
More than 10% respondents reported general financial barriers (12%) and lack of drug insurance (14%); 4% reported financial barriers to accessing medications. Emergency department visits or hospitalizations were 70% more likely among those reporting a general financial barrier. Those reporting a financial barrier to medications were 50% less likely to take statins and three times more likely to stop using prescribed medications. Individuals without drug insurance were nearly 30% less likely to take statins.


CONCLUSIONS
In this population, self-reported financial barriers were associated with lower medication use and increased likelihood of emergency department visits or hospitalization.
University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
David J T
DJ
Campbell
University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
Kathryn
K
King-Shier
University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
Brenda R
BR
Hemmelgarn
Health Analysis Division at Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0T6.
Claudia
C
Sanmartin
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario.
Paul E
PE
Ronksley
University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
Robert G
RG
Weaver
University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta.
Marcello
M
Tonelli
Health Analysis Division at Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0T6.
Deirdre
D
Hennessy
University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
Braden J
BJ
Manns
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D055553:Prescription Drugs
Health insurance; health services accessibility; socio-economic factors; socio-economic status