By Megan Broussard // SWNS
NEWS COPY W/ VIDEO + INFOGRAPHIC
A third of women admit they're behind on doctor appointments — and anxiety is the culprit.
That’s according to a new survey of 2,000 American women, which saw 33% feel behind on key appointments like mammograms, going to the gynecologist and getting their physical examinations.
The numbers rise considerably when looking at younger generations of women: 44% of millennial women and 51% of Gen Z women are behind on key health appointments and checkups.
For those feeling behind, the most likely reason was anxiety about going to the doctor (33%).
This was followed by cost (31%) and simply feeling too busy caring for their children (18%).
Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Doctor’s Best ahead of American Heart Month in February, results showed over half (66%) of women polled said they prioritize family obligations over worrying about their own health.
When it comes to what health check-ups American women are specifically behind on, mammograms top the list (36%), followed by gynecological exams (32%) and getting their annual physical (27%).
Half (51%) said they tend to be less concerned about health problems they can't physically see or feel.
This is especially important in the context of heart disease — which is known as the “silent killer” for women.
“Heart disease can easily go unnoticed because it can occur without obvious symptoms,” said Katie Lucas, Senior VP of Marketing for Doctor’s Best. “This is true especially for women because their symptoms can differ from those experienced by men or they can be completely asymptomatic. That is why women, especially those going through menopause when heart disease risk increases, should ensure they are not skipping out on their regular check-ups.
Unfortunately, the study showed that only two in five (42%) said they are likely to visit a doctor when they think everything is fine.
And even if they are experiencing some symptoms that may align with heart disease, 28% of women polled decided to sleep it off rather than visit their doctor.
Additionally, just 24% are fully confident they know their heart disease risk, despite it being the leading cause of death for women in the U.S.
While the CDC recommends that most healthy adults get their cholesterol checked every four to six years — the best way to keep tabs on your risk for heart disease — 41% of women aged 18 to 40 don’t follow that recommendation.
When asked to choose which health concerns are the most important to them, heart disease didn't come out on top. Rather, respondents were most concerned about their mental health.
What’s more, 68% of respondents were either incorrect or unsure of when they’re most at risk for heart disease, which is typically after menopause.
“We can make small changes in our daily life that can help protect our cardiovascular health, especially as we age and put more stress on our hearts,” said Gale Bensussen, CEO of Doctor’s Best. “The first step is staying on top of annual exams and labs, so you have a good measure of where you stand, then ensuring your body is getting the nutrients it needs to do its job and replacing nutrients that are depleted with age.”
TOP 9 REASONS WOMEN AVOID THE DOCTOR
- I don’t feel my symptoms are serious enough – 30%
- I get anxious about going to the doctor – 22%
- My symptoms are dismissed – 15%
- I don't feel that my symptoms are alleviated – 13%
- I don’t have enough time – 12%
- I don't get clear answers/diagnoses – 12%
- I feel judged – 10%
- My symptoms are attributed to hormonal changes – 10%
- I feel that my gender plays a role in how accurately I'm diagnosed – 6%
Survey methodology:
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 American women; the survey was commissioned by Doctor’s Best and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Dec. 12 and 16.
We are sourcing from a non-probability frame and the two main sources we use are:
- Traditional online access panels — where respondents opt-in to take part in online market research for an incentive
- Programmatic — where respondents are online and are given the option to take part in a survey to receive a virtual incentive usually related to the online activity they are engaging in
Those who did not fit the specified sample were terminated from the survey. As the survey is fielded, dynamic online sampling is used, adjusting targeting to achieve the quotas specified as part of the sampling plan.
Regardless of which sources a respondent came from, they were directed to an Online Survey, where the survey was conducted in English; a link to the questionnaire can be shared upon request. Respondents were awarded points for completing the survey. These points have a small cash-equivalent monetary value.
Cells are only reported on for analysis if they have a minimum of 80 respondents, and statistical significance is calculated at the 95% level. Data is not weighted, but quotas and other parameters are put in place to reach the desired sample.
Interviews are excluded from the final analysis if they failed quality-checking measures. This includes:
- Speeders: Respondents who complete the survey in a time that is quicker than one-third of the median length of interview are disqualified as speeders
- Open ends: All verbatim responses (full open-ended questions as well as other please specify options) are checked for inappropriate or irrelevant text
- Bots: Captcha is enabled on surveys, which allows the research team to identify and disqualify bots
- Duplicates: Survey software has “deduping” based on digital fingerprinting, which ensures nobody is allowed to take the survey more than once
It is worth noting that this survey was only available to individuals with internet access, and the results may not be generalizable to those without internet access.
