It’s not your imagination; the cost of living expenses — such as food, fuel, and housing — are rising. And that increase is having major repercussions across the globe. According to some researchers, these economic stresses can hit citizens with thesame force as a natural disaster.
As people spend more of their money on essential expenses, they have to cut costs elsewhere —and it can have dramatic effects on their health. Below, we outline four ways a high cost of living can increase health issues.
1. Substandard housing
Housing can impact a person’s health in many ways. High housing costs can lead to eviction or foreclosure, which can force people to relocatefar from their family or support network. This could make it difficult for people, especially seniors, to get rides to doctor appointments.
In addition,researchshows that people who are forced to move are more likely to relocate to poorer neighborhoods and could be forced to live in substandard housing that contains health risks such as mold, vermin, or inadequate heating and cooling systems. Housing struggles can also increase risk for mental health struggles, stress, drug and alcohol abuse, and even suicidal ideations.
2. Lack of proper nutrition
Financial challenges, paired with rising food prices, can force people to make difficult choices when it comes to feeding their families. They may opt for cheaper, more processed food rather than healthier, but pricier, whole-food options. Over time,poor nutritioncan result in weight gain and increased risk of chronic diseases, like diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Children can also suffer, with a higher risk of mental health decline and lack of concentration in school.
3. Inability to pay for essentials, i.e. gas and utilities
A person’s income has a major impact on their health. It directly impacts their ability to pay for adequate housing and purchase healthy food, but it also dictates whether a person can pay for travel to and from doctor’s offices and keep their utilities running. On top of this, the ability to keep their houses warm during the winter can have a profound impact on health. According to theU.K. charity National Energy Action, 45 people passed away daily during the winter of 2021-2022 because they couldn’t afford to heat their homes.
4. Stress resulting from financial struggles
Financial problems andmental health strugglesare closely intertwined. Financial problems can lead to mental health struggles, which can lead to physical health issues, which can make it difficult to work, which can deepen financial problems. People can easily get trapped in a downward spiral of financial and mental health challenges, which can result in more risk-taking behavior, such as drug and alcohol use.
As the cost of living continues to rise, healthcare providers must recognize and address these challenges. Download our infographicHow the Cost of Living Crisis Impacts Our Healthfor a deeper look at how primary care providers can address healthcare affordability challenges stemming from a rising cost of living.
ChenMed is a full-risk primary care market leader with an innovative philosophy, a unique physician-led culture and end-to-end customized technology that is providing coordinated, world-class primary care to the most vulnerable population - moderate- to low-income seniors with complex chronic diseases. 
