7 Factors That Lead Americans to Skip Health Screening

A new survey of US adults on the factors that lead them to become delinquent with regular health care screenings, eg, for breast and colorectal cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and other conditions, revealed familiar themes that revolved around access to care.

Results of the State of Primary Care in America survey, commissioned by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, "...underscore the ongoing crisis of access to primary health care [in the US], which cuts across many communities," Stephen A Ferrara, DNP, AANP president said in an association news release. Among the findings, nearly 40% of survey respondents must travel more than 10 miles for access to care. According to the release, this year's findings echo those from AANP research in 2023 that found more than 25% of adults had waited more than 2 months for an appointment.

Click through the brief slide show above for a snapshot of other factors restricting regular screening.