Fast Facts: The Reality of Families Facing Medical Crises

When a family confronts a medical crisis, the challenges extend beyond health concerns, impacting financial stability, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. Understanding these realities is crucial for fostering empathy and support.

Financial Strain

• Medical Debt Prevalence: Approximately 41% of U.S. adults have some form of medical or dental debt, affecting their financial health and access to necessary care.

• Difficulty Affording Care: Nearly half of U.S. adults (47%) report difficulty affording healthcare costs, leading many to delay or forgo necessary medical attention.

Impact on Daily Life

• Skipping Care Due to Cost: In 2022, 30% of Americans reported deferring medical care in the prior three months due to cost, a figure that has tripled since March 2021.

• Financial Hardships: Families with medical debt often face serious financial consequences, such as problems paying for food, clothing, or housing, and may even file for bankruptcy.

Disparities Among Communities

• Racial Disparities: Non-Hispanic Black or African American adults (16.8%) are more likely to be in families having problems paying medical bills compared to non-Hispanic White adults (10.0%).

• Children in Poverty: Over 20% of children in New York live in poverty, leading to higher rates of chronic illnesses, mental health challenges, and developmental delays.

Why This Matters to Love Runneth Over

These statistics aren’t just numbers—they represent real families, real struggles, and real moments of uncertainty. Families like Carrie’s, who know firsthand how quickly life can change when a child is born too soon, when medical bills pile up, when every ounce of energy is spent just trying to survive.

When Carrie and her family faced their own crisis, they were met with kindness from people who simply showed up—through meals, messages, and quiet support that made an unbearable situation just a little lighter. That experience became the foundation of Love Runneth Over, an organization built on the belief that no family should navigate these challenges alone.

At Love Runneth Over, we step in where the gaps are widest. We provide tangible relief—groceries, gas cards, essential needs—so families can focus on what matters most: caring for their loved ones. We share stories, raise awareness, and remind people that even in the hardest moments, they are not alone.

Medical crises may bring uncertainty, but love brings stability. When we rally together to support families, we don’t just ease financial burdens—we show them that their community stands beside them.

This is why Love Runneth Over exists. Because behind every statistic, there is a family that deserves compassion, dignity, and support.