Feb. 28, 2023 — Telus Health has published its monthly Mental Health Index, which found that 13% of U.S. workers—more than 34 million, or 1 in 6 workers—cite inflation as a reason they’ve had to cut back on health-related expenses.
 
January 2023’s monthly Mental Health Index score is 72 points out of 100, a significant improvement from December 2022. Despite this bump, workers in the U.S. are still experiencing a mental health strain as inflation and financial pressures affect their ability to seek health care.
 
Based on a response scoring system that turns responses into point values, the Mental Health Index measures scores between 0 to 49 as corresponding with distress levels, scores between 50 to 79 with strain levels, and scores between 80 to 100 with optimal levels of mental health. 
 
The following are some key takeaways from the latest report:
 

• On average, U.S. workers who reduced spending on prescription medications due to inflation have a mental health score of 52.8—19 points below the national average. Those who report reducing spending on general health-related expenses due to inflation scored 58.1—14 points below the national average.
• Compared to workers with emergency savings, workers without emergency savings are more than three times as likely to cut health-related expenses and four times as likely to cut prescription spending.
• Avoidance of social interaction is a key mental health risk, and 24% of respondents avoid interacting with others, scoring 56.6 compared to a score of 79.7 for people who do not avoid being with others. Three in 5 report their avoidance started or worsened since the pandemic began.

 
For more information: telushealth.com.