"Limited access to health care might decrease essential workers' access to medical testing and needed care and hinder their ability to address underlying conditions," researchers warn. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Essential workers have become critically important during the pandemic. However, many workers who help keep the nation running during a crisis often lack access to health care services for themselves.

The occupations most likely to be uninsured were farming, fishing and forestry, where 46% of workers had no health insurance, according to a study reported by Sage Journals. Personal care aides had the highest prevalence of not being able to see a doctor when needed because of cost (29%). Construction laborers were the most likely to not have a personal health care provider (51%) or a routine checkup (50%).

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"Some workers in essential occupations had better access to health care than all workers," the report said. "Broad occupations with significantly higher levels than all workers of access for several measures were community and social services; education, training and library; health care practitioners; technical workers; and protective services."

In other findings:

  • The other professions least likely to have health insurance were maids and housekeepers (40%); construction laborers (39%); cooks and food- preparation workers (34%); and taxi drivers and chauffeurs (32%).
  • Other occupations least likely to see a doctor because of cost were food and beverage serving, (29%); nursing, psychiatric and home health (24%); supervisors, food preparation\and serving workers (24%); maids and housekeepers (23%); cooks and food-preparation workers (23 percent); and taxi drivers and chauffeurs (22%).
  • Additional workers least likely to have personal health care providers were cooks and food- preparation workers (46%); supervisors, food preparation and serving workers (43%); and food and beverage serving workers (42%).
  • Law enforcement officers were the essential workers least likely to be uninsured.

"Lack of health insurance and underinsurance were common among subsets of essential workers," the report concluded. "Limited access to health care might decrease essential workers' access to medical testing and needed care and hinder their ability to address underlying conditions, thereby increasing their risk of severe outcomes from some infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. Improving access to health care for all workers, including essential workers, is critical to ensure workers' health and workforce stability."

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Alan Goforth

Alan Goforth is a freelance writer in suburban Kansas City. In addition to freelancing for several publications, he has written a dozen books about sports and other topics.