Unemployment Insurance, Health-Related Social Needs, Health Care Access, and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Berkowitz, Seth A; Basu, Sanjay · JAMA Intern Med · 2021

cross_sectional · Level IV

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Abstract

Is living in a household that receives unemployment insurance benefits associated with lower risk for health-related social needs, delayed healthcare, and depressive symptoms among those in households that experienced job loss during the COVID-19 pandemic? We used data from a nationally representative repeated cross-sectional survey to compare those with pandemic-related income disruption living in household that are versus are not receiving unemployment insurance benefits. Receipt of unemployment insurance was associated with lower risk of food insufficiency, missing a housing payment, delaying healthcare, and depressive symptoms. Unemployment insurance may mitigate short-term health impacts related to COVID-19 economic hardship.

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