Financial Hardship and Health Related Quality of Life Among Older Latinos With Chronic Diseases
Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Financial hardship influences health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of older adults. However, little is known about the relationship between financial hardship and HRQoL among vulnerable populations. OBJECTIVE: We examined the associations between financial hardship and HRQoL among older Latinos living with chronic disease, including cancer. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 68 Latinos (age range 50-87) with one or more chronic health conditions who participated in a pilot randomized clinical trial. Participants responded to 11 financial hardship questions. We used factor analysis to explore constructs of financial hardship. HRQoL was assessed using the 27-item Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G). Multiple linear regression examined the associations between financial hardship and HRQoL subscales (physical, social/family, emotional, functional well-being). RESULTS: The factor analysis revealed 3 constructs of financial hardship: medical cost concerns, financial hardship treatment adherence, and financial worry. A 1-point increase in the factor score for financial hardship treatment adherence was associated with a 2.1-point (SE = 0.771) decrease in physical well-being and with a 1.71-point (SE = 0.761) decrease in functional well-being. A 1-point increase in the financial stress factor score was associated with a 2.0-point (SE = 0.833) decrease in social/family well-being, and with a 2.1-point (SE = 0.822) decrease in functional well-being. CONCLUSION: In this study of older Latinos with chronic diseases, financial hardship was associated with worse HRQoL across several domains. Healthcare providers should refer older Latinos living with chronic disease to appropriate support providers, such as care coordinators, social workers, or patient navigators, who can assist them with obtaining financial assistance and other resources.
Language: English
Subfield: Economics and Econometrics
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: 1/2 SDSU/UCSD Cancer Center Comprehensive Partnership, 2/2 SDSU/UCSD Cancer Center Comprehensive Partnership, Red Blood Cell Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Breast Cancer Mortality in the Women's Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) Study, University of New Mexico Cancer Center Support Grant, San Diego Alzheimer's Disease Resource Center for Minority Aging Research (San Diego AD-RCMAR), Shared decision-making and colorectal cancer screening behaviors among older adults with low health literacy
OpenAlex ID: W3097132800