Financial stress affects pain at the end of life
2nd February 2026
A national study of people who died in England and Wales found that individuals in poorer financial circumstances were more likely to experience severe or overwhelming pain in their final week of life. This highlights a link between socioeconomic disadvantage and poorer end‑of‑life outcomes.
Financial hardship was associated with being more affected by pain in the last week of life. Whether the patient had access to care or not did not affect this association. However there was evidence that place of care (care setting) may influence this association.
The findings emphasise the need for continued improvement in palliative and end‑of‑life care.
Improving equity in care: There is a need for targeted action to reduce disparities in pain management. All patients should have access to high‑quality, effective pain relief, regardless of their financial situation.
Supporting healthcare professionals: Healthcare staff may benefit from additional training and support to hold sensitive conversations about financial concerns. Recognising and addressing financial stress as part of holistic assessment can help ensure care meets each patient’s wider needs.
Strengthening the evidence base: Further research is needed to understand how socioeconomic factors, healthcare access, care setting, and pain management interact. This will support the development of more effective and equitable palliative care services.
Correa-Morales JE, Johansson T, Curtis T, Murtagh FEM, Davies JM, Sleeman KE. Financial status and pain in the last week of life: Insights from a nationally representative mortality follow-back survey in England and Wales. J Pain. 2025 Dec 19;40:105642. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105642. Online ahead of print. PMID: 41422847