Struggling with inflation, rising household costs cause Americans to delay health care in record numbers

There’s no question that 2022 was a challenging year on the health care front. And now a new survey by Gallup provides further proof: Nearly 4 in 10 Americans (38%) said either they or a close family member decided not to see a doctor or seek treatment due to concerns about health care costs.

That was the highest percentage since Gallup launched its annual Health and Healthcare Poll 22 years ago. The 2022 results were also up 12% from 2021.

Lower-income, younger adults and women were more likely to skip care. The survey also showed 27% of Americans did not seek care for a “very or somewhat serious” condition.

Researchers noted high inflation was a factor in driving up health care costs. But they were also stunned by the significant increase in Americans who delayed care because it simply cost too much.

When patients skip preventive care and screenings, they risk allowing non-serious conditions to worsen. 

“It might need to be dealt with, unfortunately, in the emergency room, or in a scenario where you can no longer work and you can’t provide for your family or take care of those kids and you’re going to be forced to take care of your own health concern,” pediatric airway surgeon Dr. Susannah Hills told CBS News. 

Have you or someone in your family made the difficult decision to not seek health care treatment or attention? Share your story (and selfie) with Voices for Affordable Health.