90% of Americans delay preventive screenings, Aflac survey finds

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Nine out of 10 Americans have put off a medical checkup or screening that could catch serious illness early, according to new survey data released by Aflac last week. The findings, published during National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month, show a deep disconnect between what patients know about the importance of preventive care and what they actually do — a trend with growing consequences for physicians.

“My personal experiences bring a clear focus on the concerning uptick, as our study reveals, in the number of Americans who may not be on a path to good health,” said Tom Morey, senior vice president and chief actuary at Aflac. “Many avoid going to the doctor instead of doing what they can to avoid a health scare or detect a problem early.”

The 2025 Aflac Wellness Matters Survey, based on a nationally representative sample of 2,000 employed U.S. adults, found that 94% of Americans face barriers that prevent them from getting recommended screenings on time.

Fear of bad news, personal embarrassment, logistical hurdles like work conflicts, and even distrust or disdain for doctors were all cited a major factors influencing skipped care — especially among younger generations.

The importance of preventive care

Routine screenings and annual wellness visits remain critical touchpoints for early detection and chronic disease management. Primary care physicians rely on regular patient engagement to catch conditions like hypertension, diabetes and cancer in earlier, more treatable stages. Missed preventive visits often lead to delayed diagnoses, more complex treatment plans, higher costs and poorer outcomes — all trends that practices across the country are already confronting.

Despite widespread patient education efforts, the latest Aflac data underscores just how often barriers beyond simple awareness keep patients away from care.

Screenings missed — and rising

According to the survey, 59% of Americans said they had skipped a recommended preventive screening, up from 51% two years ago. Colonoscopies, mammograms, pap smears, prostate exams, blood tests and full-body skin checks were among the most frequently missed.

Screening avoidance is most common among younger adults. Sixty-two percent of millennials and 61% of Gen Z respondents reported avoiding at least one recommended test. Younger women, in particular, are skipping care at striking rates: 68% of Gen Z women admitted to avoiding a preventive screening, compared to 55% of Gen Z men.

Overall, nearly half of Americans cited logistical barriers like trouble taking off work, while almost 40% said prolonged wait times had led them to cancel or delay an appointment.

Primary care relationships under strain

Aflac’s survey also pointed to a weakening link between Americans and primary care. Nearly one in five respondents said they did not have a regular primary care physician who knew their history. Instead, urgent care centers and emergency departments (EDs) have become the primary source of care for a growing number of younger patients. Fifty-one percent of Gen Z and 54% of millennials said they relied on urgent care or the ED for most of their health needs.

Those without a primary care physician were also less likely to get regular screenings and wellness visits, and more likely to say they believed they were healthy enough to skip routine care altogether — a risky assumption given the silent progression of many common diseases.

Morey noted the importance of building trust with a physician over time, based on his own experience facing a serious health crisis in his 20s.

“It starts with making preventive care a priority and taking steps toward establishing a trusted relationship with a primary care doctor,” Morey said. “Personally, this helped me to feel more confident, more in control of my health and more empowered to deal with an illness that, otherwise, may have gone undetected.”

Fear, technology and family

Ironically, even those most concerned about their health are delaying preventive care. Among Americans who believe they are extremely or very likely to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, 62% said they had still put off screenings — compared to 42% of those who felt less at risk.

Financial factors and scheduling conflicts continue to play major roles, but emotional barriers, including fear of diagnosis, were particularly common among Gen Z respondents. Many said they felt embarrassment or discomfort seeing a doctor at all.

Technology may offer an emerging solution. Although just 9% of Americans said they used artificial intelligence (AI) like ChatGPT for health-related questions in the past year, 68% expressed interest in doing so in the future. Gen Z women led the way, with 82% saying they would consider using AI to detect signs of illness or tailor personal health recommendations.

Social connections also matter. The survey found that people who felt their family members prioritized preventive health were significantly more likely to schedule regular checkups themselves.

Seventy percent of Americans said they would be more likely to follow through with screenings if urged by a loved one.

“Having a ‘we are in this together’ approach to our health may lead to better outcomes for Americans, their families and loved ones,” Morey said.

The full Aflac 2025 Wellness Matters Survey overview can be found here.