Financial Stress US: How Money Worry Affects Health and What You Can Do

When you're struggling to pay for medicine, rent, or groceries, your body doesn't just feel the strain—it financial stress, the physical and emotional toll of money problems. Also known as economic anxiety, it's not just a mental burden—it's a medical issue that shows up in high blood pressure, sleep loss, and skipped treatments. In the US, where healthcare costs keep rising and wages don't keep pace, this isn't rare. A 2023 study from the American Psychological Association found that 64% of adults say money worries directly affect their physical health. That’s more than half of all people.

This kind of stress doesn’t stay in your wallet. It shows up in your doctor’s office. People under financial pressure are more likely to delay or skip needed care, like skipping insulin doses, avoiding dental visits, or putting off cancer screenings. Mental health conditions, like depression and untreated ADHD, also get worse when money is tight. And it’s not just about being sad—it’s about how stress hormones like cortisol mess with your immune system, digestion, and even your heart. You can’t treat high blood pressure if you’re choosing between medicine and your electric bill.

What makes this worse in the US is the gap between what people need and what they can afford. Ozempic, Wegovy, and other weight-loss drugs that help with diabetes and heart health cost hundreds a month. Insurance doesn’t always cover them. Dental implants? Often out-of-pocket. Even walking for stiff knees—something doctors recommend—is hard when you can’t afford proper shoes or can’t take time off work. The same people who are told to eat blueberries for health can’t always find them at a price they can afford.

There’s no single fix. But understanding the link between money and health is the first step. People are finding ways to cope: using generic meds, applying for patient assistance programs, or turning to Ayurveda for low-cost daily routines. Others are learning how to qualify for prescriptions online or asking about payment plans at pharmacies. The posts below show real stories—people who avoided knee surgery by walking, others who found cheaper alternatives to Ozempic, and those who finally got help for ADHD after years of ignoring it because they couldn’t afford therapy.

You’re not alone in this. And the solutions aren’t always expensive. Sometimes, it’s knowing what questions to ask, where to look, or which tests actually matter. Below, you’ll find practical advice from people who’ve been there—and the tools they used to take back control, one step at a time.