Financial Instability Is a Public Health Emergency — Here’s How We Can Build a Healthier Future
When we talk about public health emergencies, we tend to think of natural disasters or viral outbreaks. But there’s another crisis—quieter, chronic, and just as dangerous—that is damaging the health and well-being of millions of Americans every day: financial instability.
I’ve seen this crisis up close. As the founder of SPENDiD and the creator of the MyBudgetReport platform, I’ve spoken with countless students, parents, educators, and working adults navigating financial uncertainty with no clear map. And I’ve come to believe this firmly: financial health is public health.
The Invisible Emergency Undermining Well-Being
When financial stress takes root, it doesn’t stay in the bank account—it seeps into every corner of life:
Preventive care gets delayed or skipped.
Chronic conditions go unmanaged.
Mental health deteriorates.
Families break under the strain.
Students give up dreams because the math doesn’t add up.
The CDC’s five Social Determinants of Health—economic stability, education, healthcare access, neighborhood safety, and social connection—are all compromised by persistent financial hardship.
This isn’t theoretical. It’s reality for a staggering number of Americans who are just one missed paycheck away from crisis.
Why a Public Health Emergency Declaration Matters
Declaring financial instability a Public Health Emergency (PHE) wouldn’t just be symbolic—it would be transformative:
It would unlock resources and elevate financial capability to the same level of urgency we give to physical health.
It would encourage early intervention, embedding financial preparedness into education systems and community health programs.
It would drive cross-sector collaboration—between schools, healthcare providers, nonprofits, fintechs, and public institutions—all working toward shared well-being.
As someone building tools for the real world, I believe this is the kind of structural shift that would empower people to move from survival mode to sustainable progress.
Financial Capability Tools Are Public Health Tools
At SPENDiD, our focus has always been practical: help people prepare for what life really costs. MyBudgetReport isn’t about tracking what happened last month—it’s about modeling the future, and giving people the power to plan with clarity.
We build tools that are:
Simple to use – especially for young adults and first-time budgeters.
Rooted in real data – local cost of living, career income ranges, peer benchmarks.
Preventative by design – allowing users to simulate their future lifestyle before committing to a path that might not be financially sustainable.
In short, these are financial health interventions. And they’re most powerful when delivered upstream—before financial distress turns into physical, emotional, or generational harm.
A Call to Action
The burden of financial instability shows up in emergency rooms, classrooms, and family kitchens. It’s time we treat it with the same seriousness as other public health threats.
I’m proud to serve on the Advisory Board of the NFEC, supporting their call to declare financial instability a Public Health Emergency. Their work is timely, urgent, and actionable.
Whether you’re an educator, a policymaker, a health professional, or simply someone who has experienced financial stress—you have a role in this movement.
📢 Join the advocacy efforts:
https://www.financialeducatorscouncil.org/financial-public-health-emergency
Together, through smarter policies, real-world tools, and upstream education, we can change the trajectory for millions.
Because financial wellness is not a luxury—it’s a public health necessity. #FinancialHealthEmergency
