Trust or money? Barriers to health and healthcare behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to examine how trust in institutions and changes in household finances were associated with healthcare utilization and preventive behaviors during and immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened health disparities, ignited distrust in healthcare systems, and contributed to household economic shifts for many United States (US) residents. To examine these issues, we surveyed a nationally representative sample of US residents in July 2020 (n = 1,085) and May 2023 (n = 2,189). These repeated cross-sectional surveys enabled investigation of how trust in key stakeholders (e.g., federal government, the healthcare system) and household finances were linked with various types of healthcare utilization (e.g., annual preventive visits, receipt of pharmacy-

SUBMITTER: Rudisill C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12422460 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature