Survey Reveals Over 40 Percent of Women Skip or Delay Health Screenings
A recent Gallup survey conducted for Hologic, a medical technology company, reveals that more than 40 percent of women have skipped or postponed a recommended health screening. The survey, which included 4,001 adult women from across the United States, found that while 90 percent of respondents recognize the importance of regular preventive health screenings for conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and sexually transmitted infections, 43 percent admitted to missing or delaying screenings for diseases like breast cancer, cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer.
Participants cited several reasons for this delay, including anxiety about medical tests, concerns about pain, cost, time constraints, and doubts about the necessity of the screenings.
Furthermore, only 42 percent of women felt “very confident” about knowing which health screenings they needed. A significant portion of women also struggled to find relevant health information, with 31 percent of Gen Z women reporting difficulties in locating necessary details.
The survey indicated that 63 percent of respondents found it challenging to prioritize their health. Women who discussed screenings with their doctors were more likely to attend these appointments, yet not all women engaged in such discussions.
The survey also highlighted differences in screening behaviors among racial groups. Black women were more likely to view regular health screenings as important and less likely to delay them. However, they were also less likely to have had discussions with medical professionals about essential screenings.
The survey’s report underscores the critical role of regular health screenings in improving women’s health and well-being.
