A study published in JAMA Health Forum on July 26 analyzed medical and educational indebtedness among U.S. health care workers and found that 21% of home health care workers and almost 20% of nursing home employees carry medical debt.

Analysis of the self-reported data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) from 2018-2021, researchers found that health care workers are more likely than those in other sectors to carry medical and educational debt, collectively amounting to over $150 billion. Medical debt was particularly linked to individuals who are female, have a lower income or education level, work in home health and nursing home care, lack health insurance, and had a recent hospitalization.

Critical components of the aging services workforce were particularly impacted by debt, with over 23% of Certified Nurse Aides reporting educational debt, while 18.7% reported having medical debt. Registered Nurses indicated a higher incidence of educational debt, with nearly 35% reporting an average debt of $11,939 and 12%, reporting having medical debt.

Researchers noted “extensive training requirements may lead to high student debt among some health care workers, while nonprofessional health workers may be at risk for medical debt due to low wages and poor benefits.” These findings indicate that U.S. health care workers carry significant educational and medical debts, and further research should focus the impact of debt on the health care workforce and patient care.