New research reveals that government housing assistance is linked to a significantly reduced risk (nearly seven percentage points lower) of financial hardship related to medical expenses among US renters with cancer.
Published in JAMA Network Open, this study shows that housing aid not only addresses housing instability but also improves the overall financial security of these renters, enhancing their quality of life and reducing health risks.
JAMA Network OpenDr. Katherine Chen, lead author and assistant professor-in-residence at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, notes that many eligible low-income households miss out on housing assistance due to funding constraints.
Increasing access to these programs could protect the financial stability of cancer survivors amidst escalating care costs, suggests our analysis. Prior research has already highlighted how high housing expenses and cancer's effects exacerbate financial burdens for patients.
The study analyzed data from the National Health Interview Survey (2019-2023), finding that out of approximately 2,370 adult renters with cancer, 533 received government housing assistance. Among these, 19.7% felt financially challenged due to medical expenses compared to 59% without assistance.
Housing aid recipients were less concerned about paying medical bills and unexpected costs, although both groups faced similar delays in care due to expense.
The research acknowledges some limitations, such as uncertainty over cancer stages/treatments and the timing of housing assistance.
The findings indicate that housing support could cushion economic impacts for renters with cancer, potentially increasing access to better healthcare. Dr. Tina Shih, co-author and professor at UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, emphasized expanding housing aid might be crucial in mitigating financial strain among cancer survivors.