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Exploring the Relationship between Debt and Health after Incarceration: a Survey Study

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Abstract

Financial debt and incarceration are both independently associated with poor health, but there is limited research on the association between debt and health for those leaving incarceration. This exploratory study surveyed 75 people with a chronic health condition and recent incarceration to examine debt burden, financial well-being, and possible associations with self-reported health. Eighty-four percent of participants owed at least one debt, with non-legal debt being more common than legal debt. High financial stress was associated with poor self-reported health and the number of debts owed. Owing specific forms of debt was associated with poor health or high financial stress. Non-legal financial debt is common after incarceration, and related stress is associated with poor self-reported health. Future research is needed in larger populations in different geographical areas to further investigate the relationship and the impact debt may have on post-release poor health outcomes. Policy initiatives to address debt in the post-release population may improve health.

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Data Availability

The datasets generated during and analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to express gratitude to the late Jerry Smart Jr. for his integral role in participant recruitment as a community health worker.

Funding

This study was funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number T35DK104689 and the Yale School of Medicine Office of Student Research Lowe Fund. The funding bodies had no role in developing the study design or in data collection, analysis, or interpretation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yale School of Medicine, 330 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520-8056, USA

    Callie Ginapp, Jenerius A. Aminawung & Lisa B. Puglisi

  2. SEICHE Center for Health and Justice, 300 George Street G05, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA

    Jenerius A. Aminawung & Lisa B. Puglisi

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 319 Peck St., Erector Sq. Building #1, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA

    Annie Harper

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  1. Callie Ginapp
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  2. Jenerius A. Aminawung
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  3. Annie Harper
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  4. Lisa B. Puglisi
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Correspondence to Callie Ginapp or Lisa B. Puglisi.

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Ginapp, C., Aminawung, J.A., Harper, A. et al. Exploring the Relationship between Debt and Health after Incarceration: a Survey Study. J Urban Health 100, 181–189 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-022-00707-6

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