It goes without saying that when you have poor health the ability to work and function is diminished. Sometimes greatly. Yesterday it was reported that 40% of Canadians who have faced a health crisis struggled financially in the aftermath. The survey, commissioned by Sun Life Financial, demonstrated that many of the costs that push people into hardship have to do with follow-up treatment and prescription drugs.
The major illnesses included cancer, heart disease, stroke, and other terminal illness.
In a CTV news report covering this story, it was noted that:
“…among those who did experience a health crisis, 22 per cent turned to credit cards or personal lines of credit, another 22 per cent tapped into personal savings, 12 per cent borrowed from a loved one and five per cent had to either remortgage or sell their home.”
One of the biggest expenses for low income people are prescriptions. As individuals and families struggle to find enough money to buy food or pay the rent, there is little – if any – left for drugs and follow-up treatment. Last year the Canadian Medical Association Journal released a report on prescription drugs that reinforced the connection between poverty and health. The report noted that people who are poor, sick or uninsured are less likely to be able to afford necessary prescription drugs. In total, 2/3 of Canadians pay for their medications themselves totalling $4.6 billion a year. People who simply cannot afford to pay go without, which can increase the risk of repeated illness or hinder recovery.
More recently in July, the Canadian Medical Association released a report directly linking poverty to poor health. Noting that “poverty kills”, CMA president Dr. Anna Reid was calling on doctors to push the federal government for changes to our social system in order to ease health care costs as well as poor health outcomes for disadvantaged individuals.
One of the key recommendations was a comprehensive national pharmacare plan. This would not only benefit the poor, but it would effectively tackle the problem that many people of all income levels face when they are forced to treat chronic illness.
Other recommendations from the CMA that would address the financial stress those with a health crisis face include suggestions that anti-poverty advocates have consistently called for:
- That the federal, provincial and territorial governments give top priority to developing an action plan to eliminate poverty in Canada.
- That the federal, provincial and territorial governments develop strategies to ensure access to affordable housing for low-and middle-income Canadians.
- That a national food security program be established to ensure equitable access to safe and nutritious food for all Canadians regardless of neighbourhood or income.
- That investments in early childhood development including education programs and parental supports be a priority for all levels of government
- That the federal government put in place a comprehensive strategy and associated investments for improving the health of Aboriginal people that involves a partnership among governments, non-governmental organizations, universities and Aboriginal communities
The prescription for better health is clear – income and social supports such as housing, childcare and a national drug plan. Why force individuals and families to go into debt, or worse, lose their lives?
