Why People Avoid Preventive Medical Care

It seems like every month I’m doing some sort of screening or a preventative checkup. Luckily, Medicare takes care of most of the visits. Preventive medical care like regular checkups, blood work, screenings, and healthy lifestyle habits are the most effective ways to detect issues early, reduce health risks, and improve quality of life. Yet, millions of people avoid it, often until a problem becomes serious. Understanding why this happens is the first step toward change.

In the US, many adults are delaying or neglecting recommended health screenings. While the most frequently missed screenings can vary, a 2025 survey by AFLAC revealed some of the most commonly skipped include: 

• Colonoscopy: 32%
• Mammogram: 31%
• Pap smear: 33%
• Prostate exam: 32%
• Full body skin cancer exam: 27%

Why People Skip Preventative Care

1. Lack of Symptoms
   Many believe that if they feel fine, they must be healthy. This “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” mindset can lead to missed opportunities to detect silent conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or early-stage cancers.
2. Fear and Anxiety
   Some avoid doctors because they fear bad news, medical procedures, or potential costs. Ironically, delaying care often leads to more invasive and expensive treatments later.
3. Time and Convenience
   Busy schedules, long wait times, and difficulty taking time off work can make routine care feel like an inconvenience rather than a priority.
4. Cost Concerns
   Even with insurance, co-pays, deductibles, and uncovered services can discourage people from scheduling preventative appointments.
5. Mistrust or Negative Past Experiences
   Past interactions where patients felt rushed, unheard, or misdiagnosed can create lasting reluctance to seek care. I believe this is a big one for many.
6. Screenings Aren’t Fun.                                                            Let’s face it, some screening procedures are not fun or easy. Who wants to drink the prep for a colonoscopy or stand naked with a few strangers for a full body skin exam. Just the thought keeps people away. The 10 mins for the skin exam or an afternoon enjoying 64oz of Gatorade mixed with MiraLAX are a short time period compared to waiting for symptoms to appear or worse!

Steps to Improve Your Health with Preventative Care

1. Schedule Annual Checkups
   A yearly visit helps establish a health baseline and ensures screenings are done at the right age and interval.
2. Stay Up to Date on Screenings
   Follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations for blood pressure, cholesterol, cancer screenings, dental and eye exams. Early detection often means easier treatment.
3. Adopt Daily Healthy Habits
   Balanced nutrition, regular exercise, quality sleep, and stress management are the cornerstones of disease prevention.
4. Address Health Fears Head-On
   If anxiety about test results or procedures keeps you away, talk to your provider in advance about what to expect. Knowledge can reduce fear.
5. Leverage Technology
   Use health apps, reminders, and telehealth visits to make preventative care more convenient.
6. Find a Provider You Trust
   A supportive, communicative healthcare provider can make preventative care a more positive and collaborative experience. Not all provided will order screenings you may want, so be an educated and empowered patient and advocate for what you want. Take it upon yourself to find providers you like, if that’s available to you.

The Bottom Line
Preventive medical care is an investment in your future well-being. Skipping it may save time or money today, but it often leads to greater health and financial costs down the road. By making small, consistent changes and viewing your health as a lifelong priority, you can catch problems early—and, in many cases, prevent them altogether.