Aflac's Wellness Matters Survey reveals 84% of
millennials delay health and wellness screenings; Language is a
barrier to understanding health care needs for 42% of Hispanic
Americans
COLUMBUS, Ga., Aug. 5, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- 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.,2 shows 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.
The 2024 Aflac Wellness Matters Survey
found that 77% of Americans admit to putting off an important
health checkup.
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 (60%; up 20%
from 2023) have avoided common recommended health screenings. And
in fact, Millennials admit to avoiding important health screenings
at higher rates — pap smear (40% millennial women; 34% women
overall); STD screening (32% millennials; 23% overall); full body
skin cancer exam (31% millennials; 27% overall); and blood test
(39% millennials; 32% overall).3
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 — 84% of
millennials and 82% of Gen Z — at higher rates than the general
population (77%). Many are using convenience care for their health
care needs instead of keeping regular wellness appointments — with
70% of Gen Z and 67% of millennials primarily using urgent care or
the emergency room for their health care needs.3
Many aren't listening to their bodies, with 20% of Gen Z
and millennials putting off seeing their doctor even though they
had a nagging feeling something was wrong — compared to 13% of Gen
X and 11% baby boomers.
"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 58% of millennials citing conflicts with work hours,
challenges taking time off work and difficulty getting a babysitter
or transportation. Many Hispanic respondents (42%) indicate
language is a barrier to understanding their health care needs, and
the same portion say it is a barrier to understanding their
insurance benefits. Additionally, feeling healthy or "not needing
health checkups at their age" kept 31% of Gen Z and 31% of
millennials from getting checkups on time. Feeling embarrassed and
not liking/trusting doctors — 31% millennials; 18% Gen X; 14% baby
boomers — were among other reasons. Men — both Hispanic (29%) and
non-Hispanic (26%) — were more likely to skip wellness appointments
because they felt healthy and/or didn't feel they needed a checkup
at their age.3
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, 56% say they found
out as the result of a regularly scheduled cancer screening or
routine exam. Hispanics who received a cancer diagnosis reported
being diagnosed during a regularly scheduled cancer screening (40%
versus 30% non-Hispanics; 24% African Americans).3
More than half of Americans report a family history of chronic
illness/disease, yet 60% admit to skipping important health and
cancer screenings. Men also are more likely to forget to
schedule an annual physical or health exam (35% versus 29%
women).3
"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 (59%) and Hispanics (50%) said
they are more likely to seek preventive care from health
professionals from similar communities and backgrounds.
Additionally, African Americans are more likely to stay on top of
wellness appointments and less likely to report skipping important
wellness exams (54% versus 62% of Caucasians). African Americans
are more likely than other ethnicities to say that they prioritize
annual well visits, annual vision exams, recommended screenings and
healthy habits. After identifying a health concern, 40% of African
Americans immediately contact their physician to make an
appointment, versus 38% of Hispanics, 31% of Caucasians and 24% of
Asian Americans).3
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 (73% versus 65%).
Community matters more to Hispanic respondents, who are less likely
to select themselves as their strongest health advocate (67%)
compared to non-Hispanics (78%).3 The survey also found
that Hispanic Americans rely heavily on family encouragement for
health care, and parents are regarded as top health advocates by
more Hispanics (37%) than non-Hispanics (25%).3 This
emphasizes the powerful role of familial relationships in health
advocacy within the Hispanic community.
"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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SOURCE Aflac