Uninsured often leave chronic illnesses undertreated

Oct 21, 2009 10:38 AM

Millions of uninsured Americans are either not receiving proper treatment for their chronic diseases—like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol—or they don’t even know they have these conditions, according to a new study. The results underscore how the lack of adequate medical care increases the risk of disabling and deadly complications that can arise from these conditions, such as stroke, heart attack and kidney failure.

The study, published in Health Affairs, found that about 51 percent of insured people with high blood pressure did not have their condition under control, but this jumped to 58 percent in those who lacked insurance. And an alarming 77 percent of uninsured people with high cholesterol were receiving inadequate treatment compared to 60 percent of those with insurance.

In addition, about half of uninsured adults (18-64 years old) with diabetes or high cholesterol were unaware that they had these conditions. Among those with insurance, the number drops to only about 25 percent.

The study is based on data from a nationally representative survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of nearly 16,000 U.S. adults. According to the researchers behind the study, the results show that it is difficult for the uninsured to get the care they need. But even those with insurance have high rates of undertreatment, which the researchers said could be due to high co-payment and deductibles that can make care and medications too expensive.

Our Best Buy Drugs program is focused on helping you find the most effective and safe drugs for your health care dollar. Read more about how you can save money on treatments for conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.

—Steve Mitchell, associate editor, Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs

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