Week 7 Updates
Saren S -
This week, I’ve been focusing on compiling and analyzing the results from my surveys to better understand how financial barriers impact access to EpiPens. As I go through the responses, I’m seeing a range of experiences that highlight just how difficult it can be for families to afford life-saving allergy medication. Many respondents have shared that even with insurance, high deductibles and copays still make EpiPens unaffordable, while others have had to ration their supply or hold onto expired injectors because they can’t afford refills.
One emerging pattern is the difference in access between families with private insurance and those relying on government assistance. Some individuals with private insurance still struggle with high out-of-pocket costs, especially if their plan only covers one auto-injector per year. Meanwhile, those on Medicaid or other assistance programs often face restrictions on which brands they can get, leading to delays or limited options. A few respondents even mentioned resorting to online marketplaces for cheaper alternatives.
I’m also noticing the emotional toll that financial stress takes on families managing severe allergies. Some parents have expressed feeling constant anxiety about whether they can afford a replacement EpiPen if their child loses one, while others worry about their kids being without protection at school or during travel. These responses reinforce how cost isn’t just a financial issue—it directly affects how safely and confidently people can live their daily lives.
As I continue organizing the data, I want to look for trends in different demographics, such as income levels and insurance types to see if certain groups are more affected than others. My next steps will be refining my analysis and considering how these findings could support policy changes or solutions to improve EpiPen affordability.
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