EMPIRICAL STUDIES
We empirically studied dimensions of financial protection affected by health care needs. The financial and health implications of health needs are interrelated. For example, short term coping strategies, such as borrowing and debt, can damage household economic and health security over time. As well, compromised food consumption and stress caused by economic burdens can undercut health. Moreover, poor health or even the risk of poor health weakens one’s ability to work or attend school, diminishing one’s capacity to repay loans, build human and economic capital and to afford other expenses, such as education.
