U.S. Adults Say Logistics and "Feeling Healthy" Among Reasons They Duck out of Routine Wellness Visits and Screenings
Aflac's 2024 Wellness Matters survey reveals concerning trends in preventive health care among Americans, particularly younger generations. 60% of Americans have avoided recommended health screenings, with millennials showing higher avoidance rates for important tests. Despite worrying about their health, 84% of millennials and 82% of Gen Z admit to delaying checkups.
Barriers to health care include logistical issues, language barriers for Hispanic Americans, and a false sense of health invincibility among younger adults. The survey highlights the importance of early detection, family history awareness, and community influence in preventive care practices. It also emphasizes the effectiveness of encouragement from loved ones in promoting doctor visits, especially among men and Hispanic respondents.
Il sondaggio Wellness Matters 2024 di Aflac rivela tendenze preoccupanti nella cura preventiva della salute tra gli americani, in particolare tra le generazioni più giovani. Il 60% degli americani ha evitato screening sanitari raccomandati, con i millennial che mostrano tassi di evitamento più elevati per esami importanti. Nonostante le preoccupazioni per la propria salute, l'84% dei millennial e l'82% della Gen Z ammette di aver ritardato i controlli medici.
I fattori che ostacolano l'accesso alla salute includono problemi logistici, barriere linguistiche per gli americani ispanici e un falso senso di invulnerabilità alla salute tra i giovani adulti. Il sondaggio evidenzia l'importanza della diagnosi precoce, della consapevolezza della storia familiare e dell'influenza della comunità nelle pratiche di cura preventiva. Inoltre, sottolinea l'efficacia del sostegno da parte dei propri cari nel promuovere le visite dal medico, specialmente tra gli uomini e i rispondenti ispanici.
La encuesta Wellness Matters 2024 de Aflac revela tendencias preocupantes en la atención preventiva de la salud entre los estadounidenses, particularmente entre las generaciones más jóvenes. El 60% de los estadounidenses ha evitado los exámenes de salud recomendados, con los millennials mostrando tasas más altas de evitación para pruebas importantes. A pesar de preocuparse por su salud, el 84% de los millennials y el 82% de la Generación Z admiten haber retrasado los chequeos médicos.
Las barreras para la atención médica incluyen problemas logísticos, barreras del idioma para los estadounidenses hispanos y una falsa sensación de invulnerabilidad a la salud entre los jóvenes adultos. La encuesta subraya la importancia de la detección temprana, la conciencia de la historia familiar y la influencia de la comunidad en las prácticas de cuidados preventivos. También enfatiza la eficacia del aliento de los seres queridos en la promoción de visitas al médico, especialmente entre hombres y encuestados hispanos.
Aflac의 2024 웰니스 매터즈 설문조사는 미국 내 예방 건강 관리에서 우려되는 추세를 보여주며, 특히 젊은 세대에서 두드러집니다. 미국인의 60%가 권장 건강 검진을 피했다고 보고했으며, 밀레니얼 세대가 중요한 검사를 피하는 비율이 더 높습니다. 건강에 대한 우려에도 불구하고, 밀레니얼의 84%와 Z세대의 82%는 정기 검진을 미뤘다고 인정합니다.
건강 관리에 대한 장벽은 물리적 문제, 히스패닉 미국인을 위한 언어 장벽 및 젊은 성인들 사이에서 건강 불사의 잘못된 인식이 포함됩니다. 이 설문조사는 예방 치료에서 조기 발견, 가족력 인식 및 지역 사회의 영향력이 얼마나 중요한지를 강조합니다. 또한 사랑하는 사람들의 격려가 의사 방문을 촉진하는 데 얼마나 효과적인지를 강조합니다. 특히 남성과 히스패닉 응답자들 사이에서 더욱 그렇습니다.
Le sondage Wellness Matters 2024 d'Aflac révèle des tendances préoccupantes en matière de soins préventifs de santé parmi les Américains, en particulier chez les générations plus jeunes. 60 % des Américains ont évité les examens de santé recommandés, les millennials montrant des taux d'évitement plus élevés pour les tests importants. Malgré leurs inquiétudes concernant leur santé, 84 % des millennials et 82 % de la Gen Z admettent avoir retardé leurs examens médicaux.
Les obstacles aux soins de santé comprennent des problèmes logistiques, des barrières linguistiques pour les Américains hispaniques et un faux sentiment d'invulnérabilité à la santé chez les jeunes adultes. Le sondage souligne l'importance de la detection précoce, de la prise de conscience de l'histoire familiale et de l'influence communautaire dans les pratiques de soins préventifs. Il met également en avant l'efficacité du soutien de ses proches pour encourager les visites médicales, en particulier chez les hommes et les répondants hispaniques.
Die Wellness Matters Umfrage 2024 von Aflac zeigt besorgniserregende Trends in der präventiven Gesundheitsversorgung unter Amerikanern, insbesondere bei jüngeren Generationen. 60% der Amerikaner haben empfohlene Gesundheitsuntersuchungen vermieden, wobei Millennials höhere Vermeidungsraten bei wichtigen Tests aufweisen. Trotz ihrer Sorgen um die eigene Gesundheit geben 84% der Millennials und 82% der Gen Z zu, dass sie ihre Untersuchungen aufgeschoben haben.
Hindernisse für die Gesundheitsversorgung sind logistische Probleme, Sprachbarrieren für hispanische Amerikaner und ein falsches Gefühl von gesundheitlicher Unverwundbarkeit unter jüngeren Erwachsenen. Die Umfrage hebt die Bedeutung der frühen Früherkennung, des Bewusstseins für die Familiengeschichte und des Einflusses der Gemeinschaft auf präventive Gesundheitspraktiken hervor. Sie betont auch die Wirksamkeit der Ermutigung durch Angehörige bei der Förderung von Arztbesuchen, insbesondere bei Männern und hispanischen Befragten.
- Aflac is raising awareness about the importance of preventive care and regular health screenings
- The survey provides valuable insights into health care behaviors across different demographics
- African Americans reported being more proactive in staying on top of wellness appointments and prioritizing health habits
- 60% of Americans are avoiding recommended health screenings, up 20% from 2023
- 84% of millennials and 82% of Gen Z admit to delaying checkups beyond recommended timeframes
- 42% of Hispanic respondents indicate language is a barrier to understanding their health care needs and insurance benefits
- 70% of Gen Z and 67% of millennials primarily use urgent care or emergency rooms for health care instead of regular wellness appointments
Insights
This survey reveals concerning trends in preventive health care, particularly among younger generations. 60% of Americans are avoiding recommended health screenings, with millennials showing higher avoidance rates for important tests like pap smears and STD screenings. The 84% delay rate among millennials for wellness checkups is alarming, considering their reported focus on health.
The barriers to care, including work conflicts and language issues for Hispanic Americans, highlight systemic problems in health care accessibility. The preference for urgent care over regular check-ups among Gen Z (70%) and millennials (67%) suggests a shift in health-seeking behavior that could lead to missed opportunities for early detection and prevention.
The data on cancer diagnoses resulting from routine screenings (56%) underscores the critical importance of regular check-ups. This survey illuminates the need for targeted interventions to improve preventive care engagement across different demographic groups.
The survey's findings highlight a significant public health challenge: the disconnect between health awareness and preventive action, especially among younger adults. The high rates of screening avoidance, despite reported health concerns, indicate a need for more effective health education and accessibility strategies.
Cultural factors play a important role, as evidenced by the preference for healthcare providers from similar backgrounds among African Americans (59%) and Hispanics (50%). This suggests that increasing diversity in the healthcare workforce could improve preventive care engagement.
The impact of social support on healthcare-seeking behavior is notable, with 70% more likely to see a doctor when encouraged by loved ones. This points to the potential effectiveness of community-based interventions and family-centered health promotion strategies, particularly within Hispanic communities where family advocacy is strong.
This survey reveals critical gaps in the U.S. healthcare system, particularly in preventive care utilization. The high rates of screening avoidance, especially among younger adults, suggest a need for policy interventions to improve access and incentivize preventive care.
The language barriers reported by 42% of Hispanic Americans in understanding both healthcare needs and insurance benefits highlight a significant issue in healthcare equity. This calls for policies to enhance language accessibility in healthcare services and insurance information.
The preference for urgent care and emergency rooms among younger generations indicates a potential misalignment of healthcare resources. Policymakers should consider strategies to make primary care and preventive services more appealing and accessible to these demographics. The data also suggests a need for workplace policies that better accommodate healthcare appointments, given the reported conflicts with work hours.
Aflac's Wellness Matters Survey reveals
Learn more at Aflac.com/WellnessMatters
COLUMBUS, GA / ACCESSWIRE / August 13, 2024 / August is National Wellness Month, a time to emphasize the importance of prioritizing personal health care; yet, the second annual Wellness Matters survey1 released by Aflac, a leading provider of supplemental health insurance in the U.S.,2shows many Americans are not taking charge of their health through preventive care, routine wellness checkups and important screenings that could help identify and treat serious illness early.3 Additionally, for many Hispanic Americans, language is a barrier for understanding both their medical needs and insurance policies.
Millennials and Gen Z say they're focused on health, but are taking a chance by skipping wellness checkups
The study uncovered an alarming 3 in 5 Americans (
Additionally, young Americans say they frequently or always worry about their physical and mental health - even more than other significant concerns such as their social media reputations, getting a promotion at work and politics. However, when it comes to important health screenings, many admit to putting off a checkup beyond the recommended timeframe at least occasionally -
Many aren't listening to their bodies, with
"Feeling healthy" and logistical barriers keep Americans from their doctor
Getting to the doctor is not easy for young Americans, as logistical barriers prevent them from getting health screenings on time - with
When Aflac Senior Vice President and Chief Actuary Thomas Morey was in his mid-20s, he experienced a significant and sudden health crisis, showing that one can never be too young to develop good health habits. The condition kept Morey out of work for nearly two years, and he was in and out of hospitals for 18 months.
"As our study shows, younger people are often less concerned about health care issues than older ones, and the statistics do support the idea that becoming ill is often a function of age," said Morey. "But what I learned is that percentages don't really mean much when it is happening to you. That is why I am a strong proponent of learning how to care for yourself, even when you are feeling strong. Going to the doctor for wellness checkups and recommended screenings is something everyone should strive to do."
Early detection at risk
Surprisingly, survey respondents who have received a cancer diagnosis were more likely to have avoided common health screenings than those who have not, underscoring the importance of regular screenings. Among those diagnosed with cancer,
More than half of Americans report a family history of chronic illness/disease, yet
"Family history matters to preventive care because history and genetics can often help inform the future of our own health," said Morey. "This is why Aflac is also focused on helping consumers be more aware and empowered to start good health habits early and continue to prioritize proactive health care as they age."
Community matters in preventive care practices
In the survey, African Americans (
The survey reinforces how much support matters - and the value of advocating for yourself and the ones you love to both schedule and keep important wellness checkups. Nearly 7 in 10 are more likely to go to the doctor if a friend or loved one encouraged them to go. Hispanic respondents are more likely to report that encouragement is effective. Men also are more likely than women to see a doctor if encouraged by a loved one (
"Life moves quickly, and sometimes, we can lose sight of what's important for good health and wellness - but when you do stop and think about it, what is more important than your health? Taking charge of your health can start when you are young, by making your own wellness appointments and encouraging those you care for to do the same," said Morey. "The Wellness Matters survey reinforces the value of proactive health habits. It also reminds us how much preventive care matters and to take more ownership of our health, regardless of age, gender or ethnicity."
To learn more about the 2024 Wellness Matters survey and to find tips on how to take charge of your own health and encourage others to prioritize theirs, visit Aflac.com/WellnessMatters.
ABOUT THE 2024 WELLNESS MATTERS SURVEY
The 2024 Aflac Wellness Matters Survey, examining attitudes, habits and opinions about health and preventive care, was conducted among a nationally representative sample of 2,000 employed U.S. adults ages 18-65 in April 2024 by Kantar Profiles on behalf of Aflac.
ABOUT AFLAC INCORPORATED
Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL), a Fortune 500 company, has helped provide financial protection and peace of mind for more than 68 years to millions of policyholders and customers through its subsidiaries in the U.S. and Japan. In the U.S., Aflac is the No. 1 provider of supplemental health insurance products.2 In Japan, Aflac Life Insurance Japan is the leading provider of cancer and medical insurance in terms of policies in force. The company takes pride in being there for its policyholders when they need us most, as well as being included in the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere for 18 consecutive years (2024), Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies for 23 years (2024) and Bloomberg's Gender-Equality Index for the fourth consecutive year (2023). In addition, the company became a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in 2021 and has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index (2023) for 10 years. To find out how to get help with expenses health insurance doesn't cover, get to know us at aflac.com or aflac.com/espanol. Investors may learn more about Aflac Incorporated and its commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability at investors.aflac.com under "Sustainability."
Media contact: Jon Sullivan, 706-763-4813 or jsullivan@aflac.com
Analyst and investor contact: David A. Young, 706-596-3264, 800-235-2667 or dyoung@aflac.com
1 2024 Wellness Matters survey
2 LIMRA 2023 US Supplemental Health Insurance Total Market Report
3 2024 Wellness Matters survey results
Aflac's family of insurers include American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus, American Family Life Assurance Company of New York, Continental American Insurance Company, and Tier One Insurance Company.
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FAQ
What percentage of Americans are avoiding recommended health screenings according to Aflac's 2024 Wellness Matters survey?
How many millennials admit to delaying health checkups beyond recommended timeframes?
What percentage of Hispanic respondents cite language as a barrier to understanding their health care needs and insurance benefits?
How do encouragement and community influence health care decisions according to the Aflac (AFL) survey?
What percentage of Gen Z and millennials primarily use urgent care or emergency rooms for their health care needs?
