Survey: Women foregoing health care to save money

RED BANK, N.J. The National Women's Health Resource Center on Tuesday released a survey finding that many women have failed to seek health care for themselves or their families in an effort to save money.

Findings also indicate that many women say their health has gotten worse over the past five years—primarily due to stress

"Today's financial crisis and increasing health costs are clearly impacting women's decisions around health care, and their physical and emotional well-being," stated Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill, executive director of NWHRC. "It's hard to stay calm and relaxed given our hectic lives—even in the best of times. But women need to understand that skimping on health care to save them money may cost them more in the long run."

Conducted by Harris Interactive, the fourth annual, national Women T.A.L.K. survey explored issues related to women's health specifically around women's attitudes about health care costs as well as healthy aging.

Nearly half of women (45 percent) have failed to seek medical care in the past year because the cost was too high. This includes skipping doctor's visits, recommended medical procedures and medication for themselves or their families. Hispanic women were most likely to have skipped health care in the past year (58 percent) versus white (43 percent) or African American (42 percent) women.