More than a third of Americans worry about providing for their families' needs

A new survey from Kaiser Permanente finds that more than a third of Americans worry about providing for their family, whether it’s food-related expenses or health-related needs. Here’s more from the survey: 

• Emergency health funds: If met with a $500 emergency health expense, 44% have funds or cash in hand to cover the cost, while 13% would need to redirect funds from their food budget. 
• Accessing resources: Over a third lacked the confidence to identify the resources they need. More than half were unaware if their community offered free or subsidized group fitness classes, and more than 15% were unsure about the availability of senior centers or food banks. 
• Holistic views on health: The majority believe that other social needs — including housing and supportive social relationships — are important for health, and that medical providers should ask about these related factors.