The Human-Animal Bond Can Shape Access to Health Care

By Kendall Jang, Staff Writer

For many people, pets are family and their needs can influence decisions about housing, finances and even health care.

A recent Perspective published in the New England Journal of Medicine, “Human–Animal Bonds as Social Determinants of Health Care Access,” explores how responsibilities to pets can affect whether and how people seek medical care.

Authors Rustin M. Moore, D.V.M., Ph.D., and Reshma Jagsi, M.D., D.Phil., encourage health care professionals to consider the human-animal bond when understanding patients’ decisions and circumstances.

The article highlights an important connection between human and animal well-being: supporting people also means recognizing the animals who depend on them.

Get Involved

1. Read “Human–Animal Bonds as Social Determinants of Health Care Access” in the New England Journal of Medicine.

2. Support increased penalties for animal cruelty by completing our action alert for Ohio S.B. 64. This would increase penalties for violating companion animal cruelty offenses and prohibit a felony animal abuser from owning a companion animal under certain circumstances.

3. For more information on the link between human and animal violence, visit our advocacy page.

3. Share this update and action alert with friends and family!

4. Subscribe to our e-newsletter to receive animal welfare related news and resources in Ohio straight to your inbox.