Economic Hardship; Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Payments; and Self-Rated Health: A Longitudinal Analysis From the Health and Retirement Study, United States, 2020-2022.

Abstract

<b>Objectives.</b> To determine the longitudinal relationships between economic hardship in 2020 and self-rated health (SRH) in 2022, and whether monetary stimulus payments offset negative health consequences of economic hardship among older adults living in the United States. <b>Methods.</b> We used data from 7549 adults aged 50 years or older from all US states in the longitudinal Health and Retirement Study cohort. Using Poisson regression models, we evaluated the relationship between economic hardship in 2020 and "fair or poor" SRH in 2022, and whether receipt of stimulus payments modified this relationship, controlling for covariates. <b>Results.</b> In stratified analysis, among persons who did not receive a stimulus payment, economic hardship was associated with higher risk of "fair or poor" SRH (risk ratio [RR] = 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.22, 1.85). Among persons who received a stimulus payment, the relationship between economic hardship and "fair or poor" SRH was nonsignificant (RR = 1.06; 95% CI = 0.96, 1.17). <b>Conclusions.</b> Receipt of a stimulus payment may have offset the negative consequences of economic hardship on SRH among persons aged 50 years and older. <b>Public Health Implications.</b> Monetary payments may be an effective health intervention for persons experiencing economic hardship. (<i>Am J Public Health.</i> 2026;116(5):702-710. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308414).