Cost-Related Care Delays Increase ED Visits Among Latino Adults

Delaying or forgoing care for cost-related reasons is linked to increased odds of emergency department visits among Latino adults, underscoring the need to reduce financial barriers to timely health care.

This finding comes from a cross-sectional study published in JAMA Network Open that analyzed data from the National Health Interview Survey between 2019 and 2024. The study included 17,344 Latino adults aged 18 to 64 years in the United States.

Researchers found that 16.9 percent of participants reported delaying or forgoing physical or mental health care due to cost concerns. Those individuals had significantly higher odds of reporting at least one emergency department visit in the past 12 months compared to those who did not delay or forgo care.

After adjusting for survey year and sociodemographic, health-related, and geographic factors, the adjusted odds ratio for emergency department visits among those who delayed or forgone care was 1.78, with a 95 percent confidence interval of 1.59 to 2.01.

The study also examined within-group differences by language, place of birth, heritage, citizenship status, and insurance status. While the primary association held across subgroups, the researchers noted that these factors may influence access to care and health outcomes among Latino populations.

The median age of participants was 36.7 years, with an interquartile range of 26.0 to 48.1 years. In weighted proportions, 50.7 percent were female, and 58.5 percent had a high school education or less.

These results highlight how financial barriers to preventive and routine care may lead to more acute health issues requiring emergency department use. The researchers suggest that policies aimed at reducing cost-related delays in care could help decrease preventable emergency visits and improve health equity for Latino adults.

The study design relied on self-reported data, which may be subject to recall bias. However, the large, nationally representative sample and adjustment for confounding factors strengthen the validity of the findings.

As health care costs continue to affect access for many communities, this research adds to evidence that addressing financial obstacles to timely care is a critical public health priority.