Power shutoffs point to fragile household finances among low-income people

By Dennis Archambault

Disturbing trends in the social determinants of health are emerging, specifically with the findings of the nonprofit Center for Biodiversity which noted a 20 percent increase in utility shutoffs by major power companies, including DTE Energy, in 2024. DTE alone recorded 150,000 shutoffs. There are several reasons for the large number of shutoffs, but one thing is for certain — the shutoffs likely reflect low income households shifting bills that they are able to pay at any given time.

People often don’t pay their utility bill in order to pay other bills like groceries and rent. But even then, people are making trade-offs. Lines waiting for free food at distribution points for Gleaners and Forgotten Harvest are getting longer. People struggle to pay for their cars or forgo personal transportation.

Another major social determinant of health – housing security – is eroding. In 2023, 770, 000 Americans were living in shelters or outside. 13 percent of the national population expect to lose their homes within the next five years, with renters and young people facing higher rates of housing insecurity.

Working people are often working two jobs, causing stress among low-income families with children. The Bureau of Labor Statistics noted in January that 8.9 percent of Americans are working multiple jobs – the most since the Great Recession in 2009.

The relevance of this to health maintenance is significant. Often, health is less important to people as they look at their overall expenses. Even if they are willing, they struggle with copays and deductibles. Transportation also plays a role, not affecting patients’ ability to get to the health center, but to any special diagnostic tests that may be required. And complicating this is their job schedules and childcare.

No wonder it’s challenging to promote health and well-being among low-income populations. We need to constantly remind elected officials that holistic health is not only a valid concept, but it also requires a degree of social engineering so that it is affordable and accessible. At this juncture, society is more focused on reducing funding for programs that would otherwise strengthen the safety net.

Dennis Archambault is vice president of Public Affairs at Authority Health.