A recent survey conducted by Aflac reveals a concerning trend: 90% of Americans are postponing routine health screenings that could detect serious illnesses early. The Wellness Matters Survey highlights that screening avoidance is particularly prevalent among white people and U.S. Latinos. This delay in health checkups spans across generations, with three in five Americans admitting to avoiding important screenings for two consecutive years, an increase from 51% in 2023.
The survey identifies several reasons for this avoidance, including embarrassment, fear of bad news, logistical barriers, inconvenience, and distrust or dislike of doctors. For instance, 32% of Gen Z experiences negative feelings of personal embarrassment and distrust towards doctors, which prevents nearly one in four young women from getting timely screenings. Logistical barriers, such as conflicts with work hours and challenges in taking time off for appointments, affect nearly half of Americans.
Health screenings most often avoided include Pap smears, prostate exams, colonoscopies, mammograms, blood tests, full body skin cancer exams, and STI screenings. Millennials are particularly prone to avoiding these screenings compared to other generations, while baby boomers are the least likely to avoid them.
Additionally, about 41% of Americans primarily use urgent care or emergency rooms for their medical needs, with men, African Americans, Asian Americans, and U.S. Latinos being the most likely to seek medical attention from these facilities. The survey suggests that having a primary care physician correlates with a greater likelihood of getting regular checkups.
Tom Morey, Aflac’s senior vice president and chief actuary, emphasizes the importance of a collective approach to health, stating, “Having a ‘we are in this together’ approach to our health may lead to better outcomes for Americans, their families, and loved ones.”
See: “90% of Americans Delay Routine Health Screenings” (April 25, 2025)