Survey: Women Aren’t Prioritizing Their Health Due To Fear And Anxiety

Women are skipping vital health screenings due to medical anxiety, concerns about affordability and fear of pain, according to a new Gallup poll that explored why American women are not prioritizing their health.

According to the poll, an estimated 72 million women in America are behind on their recommended health screenings. Of the 4,0001 women surveyed nationwide, 90% said they thought health screenings are important, but 58% said they aren’t fully confident about what screenings they need and 43% said they have missed or delayed a recommended screening.

Women reported skipping or delaying screenings for potentially serious or life-threatening conditions, such as breast cancer (41%), cervical cancer (35%) and colorectal cancer (35%). Those who skipped these screenings said they didn’t believe it was necessary for them (24%), they have anxiety about medical tests (20%) and they were concerned about pain from the procedure (17%).

Compared with women of other races, the poll found that Black women were much more likely to say regular health screenings are very important to them (79%), than Hispanic women (63%), Asian women (66%) and white women (58%). Black women were also much less likely than women of other races to say they have skipped or delayed a recommended screening.

However, although Black women recognize the importance of health screenings, the poll showed they were often less likely than white women to have talked with a healthcare professional about screenings. Only 67% of Black women reported having discussed cervical screening with their healthcare professional, compared to Hispanic women (72%), Asian women (74%) and white women (72%).

The survey called this lack of health care prioritization the “Screening Action Gap” and cited three key factors: women struggle to find relevant, useful health information; many women report inadequate communication about screenings with healthcare professionals; and various barriers make it difficult for women to make their health a top priority.

If you fall into the category of having anxiety or other fears about attending regular health screenings, they are ways you can take charge of your health on your own.

Committing to healthy lifestyle changes can make a big difference, especially when it comes to heart health. Simple steps such as making exercise a regular part of your routine, eating heart-healthy foods like leafy greens and lean meats, and managing stress can go a long way.

You can also embrace telehealth options that allow you to access healthcare from the safety and comfort of your own home. Telehealth platforms provide access to care for underserved populations, making it easier to get fertility care, personal hygiene treatments, and emergency contraception.

Combating and managing stress in your life can result in positive overall health outcomes, especially when it comes to gut health. Stress can trigger our body’s sympathetic nervous system, which is our fight-or-flight response. When we are in this mode, our bodies can’t focus on things such as digestion. Working on managing your stress can significant improve your gut health.