Top 3 Reasons Why Some People Avoid Medical Care

While it is true that 24% of men are less likely to seek medical care, the numbers also show that 1 in 5 Americans have failed to see a doctor in about five years. Several reasons account for why a section of the population, regardless of gender, pushes medical care to the back-burner. The most notable reason is the high costs associated with it, and undoubtedly, the United States has one of the most expensive health delivery systems in the world. So, this may not come as a surprise. But have you taken the time to consider other top reasons? This article will discuss some of them. 

1. High cost

According to businesswire.com, two-thirds of the population deliberately avoid appropriate medical care because of matters surrounding high costs. A small percentage put it off until they have enough money to pay for consultations, tests, and treatment. Perhaps what makes this issue even worse is that a considerable number of people under age 65 years have medical debt. Again, the statistics peg this at one in four Americans below this age group. Indeed, this is a grave issue in the country, and you obviously cannot act like the proverbial ostrich acting oblivious to this predicament.

A 2020 report on America’s healthcare indicated that an individual is likely to incur an average of $7,470 annually for health insurance alone. On the other hand, the amount for a family is three times that of an individual. Moreover, depending on the city you reside in, it’s possible to incur higher costs. When you tie this into the annual salary of the average American, it is quite understandable why many put medical treatment on hold, if they can.

2. Fear

Several reasons account for this particular point. While some people fear receiving unpleasant news about their health, others associate it to the anxiety felt upon seeing syringes, medical procedures, etc. Studies also show that some people had at least one negative experience in the hospital, which marred their perception of it. Perhaps, the most prominent of fears is the unceasing concern about medical malpractice.

Cases surrounding medical negligence and misconduct mainly result in aggravated injury or ill health. Sadly, some resulted in the loss of lives. Fortunately, victims and their families can seek redress or compensation through medical malpractice attorneys. With a bit of research on the internet, you will come across many news reports of victims who received various amounts of compensation. Some are in the hundreds of thousands and even millions of dollars after winning suits against health facilities where the malpractice occurred.

3. Embarrassment in exposing body parts

Most people know how embarrassing specific medical procedures can be. Believe it or not, this is a significant deterrent that pushes some people away from seeking timely help. Admittedly, the inconvenience of having sensitive body parts physically examined by a ‘stranger’ (the physician) can be unnerving. Some physical examinations include checking the prostate, genitalia for abnormalities, the breasts, etc.

Thankfully, some physicians go the extra mile to make patients feel comfortable and relaxed before these physical examinations commence. Moreover, a considerable number of physicians continue to undergo trauma-informed care. This has helped deal with elevated anxiety and embarrassment arising from past traumas.

Finally, there is also the subject of increasing alternative therapies among the population. More Americans want to control their treatment plans and seem to prefer that over conventional methods.