Key findings from Aflac’s third annual “Wellness Matters Survey” reveal that most Americans (94%) put off getting a health checkup or screening that could help identify and treat serious illness early. Why? Fear of bad news, personal embarrassment, inconvenience, logistical barriers, and distrust or dislike of doctors — especially among younger adults — rank among the most common reasons, according to the survey.
Aflac, a provider of supplemental health insurance in the United States, surveyed 2,000 employed adults age 65 and younger about routine health appointments and recommended health screenings, how they prioritize health care, and the biggest influences on their decisions to seek routine care.
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According to researchers, the survey reveals a possible cognitive dissonance: Americans know they should schedule a preventive care screening or wellness visit, but their behavior often suggests otherwise. For 65% of Americans, experiencing a health scare is what made them realize they need to be more proactive about their health. Attitudes about preventive care are often counterintuitive, however, as many of those who believe they will be diagnosed with cancer are more likely to delay screenings (62% vs. 42%).
“Many avoid going to the doctor instead of doing what they can to avoid a health scare or detect a problem early,” Tom Morey, Aflac’s senior vice president and chief actuary, said in a statement while also noting his own health crisis that kept him away from work for nearly two years and in and out hospitals for 18 months. “It starts with making preventive care a priority and taking steps toward establishing a trusted relationship with a primary care doctor. Personally, this helped me to feel more confident, more in control of my health, and more empowered to deal with an illness that, otherwise, may have gone undetected.”
Other findings of the “Wellness Matters Survey” include the following:
- Trust, work hours, and logistics are keeping Americans away from the doctor. Nearly half (48%) of those surveyed say they refrain from regular checkups because of logistical issues (such as difficulty finding a babysitter, taking time off from work, or finding transportation). Another 26% say they do not trust doctors or would rather not be embarrassed.
- Cash incentives and loved ones’ encouragement continue to be effective in encouraging individuals to go to the doctor. Almost 9 in 10 (87%) say they would be more likely to participate in routine checkups if they received a cash incentive to do so, and nearly 7 in 10 (69%) say a loved one’s urging would make them more likely to go to the doctor.
- Questions remain about insurance coverage of critical health screenings. About 1 in 7 Americans (14%), including 18% of Gen Z members, say insurance issues keep them from getting checkups and screenings. About one-third of U.S. adults surveyed say they do not know if their insurance covers full-body skin cancer screenings (34%) or screenings for sexually transmitted diseases (31%).
- Some Americans does not have a regular primary care physician. The most common reason for the 1 in 5 Americans who do not have a primary care physician is feeling healthy, but that could lead to fewer screenings and more costly health care. Many Americans (41%) — primarily Gen Zers (51%) and millennials (54%) — primarily use urgent care or the emergency room for their medical needs. Men (46%), African Americans (47%), Asian Americans (45%) and U.S. Hispanics (44%) are the most likely to seek medical attention from an urgent care or emergency room. Telehealth is most popular among millennials and Gen Xers.
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