Understanding how COVID-19 affects patients' financial situations

The cost of illness: The impact of COVID-19 on patient financial outcomes

NIH-funded research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10903780

This study looks at how COVID-19 affects people's finances, especially those who might struggle the most, to understand the real costs and stress that come from being sick during the pandemic.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project IDNIH-10903780 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the financial impact of COVID-19 on patients, focusing on how illness can lead to financial burden and distress. The study aims to identify which patient groups are most at risk for financial difficulties after COVID-19 infection and to measure both the objective financial burden and subjective financial distress experienced by these patients. By linking health data with credit report information, the research seeks to provide a clearer picture of the economic consequences of the pandemic on individuals, particularly vulnerable populations.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who have been infected with COVID-19, particularly those from vulnerable populations or those experiencing significant financial distress.

Not a fit: Patients who have not been infected with COVID-19 or those who do not experience financial difficulties may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help inform policies that protect patients from financial harm related to illness.

How similar studies have performed: While the concept of financial toxicity is recognized, this specific approach to linking health outcomes with financial data in the context of COVID-19 is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Ann Arbor, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.