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Recent Study: "Uninsured and Dying Because of It"

The absence of health care for the uninsured has become an increasing problem that not only reduces quality of life, but also increases the risk of death. Uninsured and Dying Because of It- a report recently released by the Urban Institute - updates extended research by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) on the powerful relationship between health coverage and health outcomes.

In 2002, the IOM estimated an overall mortality risk increase of 25% for working adults without health insurance. The Urban Institute's new study combined the IOM results with other research, and discovered that this risk of death is actually greater than originally supposed. The new research concluded that for adults aged 55-64, lack of health insurance is actually the third leading cause of death - behind only heart disease and cancer.

To access the Urban Institute report, click here.