TL/DR –
Uninsured Americans contribute nearly two-thirds as much to the U.S. healthcare system as insured citizens, according to research in Health Affairs. The study found that uninsured people under 65 paid 64% as much towards healthcare in 2023 as insured people did, with most of their contributions coming from taxes. Researchers also highlighted that out-of-pocket spending represented about 1% of income among the lowest-income group, compared with 0.3% among the highest-income group.
Uninsured Americans Continue to Pay Substantially into U.S. Healthcare
Despite lacking coverage, uninsured Americans contribute nearly two-thirds as much to the U.S. healthcare system, according to a new study in Health Affairs. The research found that uninsured individuals under age 65 paid about 64% towards healthcare in 2023 compared to insured individuals. Their primary contributions came from taxes as they did not pay insurance premiums.
The study noted variances in payment amounts across different income levels, insurance statuses, and health conditions. Direct medical expenses heavily impacted individuals with less financial resources, with out-of-pocket spending representing about 1% of income among the lowest-income group versus 0.3% among the highest-income group.
Microplastics Pollution Surge Driven by Extreme Rainfall
Extreme weather, specifically heavy rainfall, is exacerbating microplastic pollution and the associated health risks, recent research uncovers. The study in Science found that heavy rainfall could cause surges of microplastics into waterways, negatively affecting water quality and the human food supply.
Microplastics can pick up heavy metals, pesticides, and other pollutants and release these harmful substances after ingestion by fish and other organisms. The risk varies depending on the size, type, and age of the plastic.
Climate Change Extends Duration of Hot Weather
As the globe warms due to climate change, extreme heat is persisting beyond the traditional summer season. A recent study in AGU Advances found that the extreme heat season has significantly expanded across about half of the world’s land area over the past four decades.
Longer heat seasons pose various health risks and can overlap with other hazards, such as wildfires and hurricanes. In fact, the contiguous U.S. experienced its warmest summer ever recorded in 2021, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Other Noteworthy Public Health News
Long-term exposure to air pollution can place stress on the heart, according to a new study in BMC Public Health. Marine heat waves pose potential human health risks, including more intense storms, increased algae blooms, and impacts on fisheries and seafood supplies, finds a recent study in Nature Sustainability. Lastly, individuals with lung cancer are more likely to have microplastics in their lungs, as reported at the recent European Respiratory Society Congress.
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