Over the Limit: the Association Among Health, Race and Debt

This research responds to the call for more research on the conceptualization and measurement of socio-economic status that moves beyond merely considering education, occupation and income variables. Credit card usage and credit card debt is a growing phenomenon in developed countries. Using data from a 1997 representative sample of more than 900 adults in Ohio, we explored how credit card debt and stress regarding debt is associated with health. We found that both credit card debt and stress regarding debt are associated with health. In addition, health behaviors and risks explain part of this association.