Sales & Marketing: August 2023 Facts & Figures
Sales & Marketing: August 2023 Facts & Figures
A nationally representative survey of 2,001 employed adults in the United States released by the health insurance company Aflac found that many — one in four — simply skip regular checkups because they are feeling healthy. Other reasons cited include conflicts with work hours (23 percent); not thinking about it (22 percent); dislike of going to the doctor (21 percent); insurance issues (21 percent); fear of hearing bad health news (18 percent); and time commitment to go to the doctor (16 percent).
According to the survey, about half of adults have avoided at least one common health screening, including tests for certain diseases and other exams. At the same time, 51 percent of respondents who have had cancer said their diagnosis came as a result of a routine checkup or screening.
Survey findings show the majority of men have a positive outlook regarding all aspects of their current health, including their ability to control it in the future: weight/BMI (56 percent of men, 38 percent of women); financial health (53 percent of men, 40 percent of women); mental health (66 percent of men, 56 percent of women); and physical health (69 percent of men, 54 percent of women). Hispanic men and women also have differing outlooks: weight/BMI (64 percent of men, 45 percent of women); financial health (57 percent of men, 44 percent of women); mental health (71 percent of men, 62 percent of women); and physical health (77 percent of men, 63 percent of women).
According to the survey, Gen Z (ages 18–24) feels the least control over their mental and physical health, yet they are the most likely to skip annual wellness visits that could empower them to feel more in control. Baby boomers (ages 57–65, 64 percent) and Gen X (ages 41–56, 55 percent) think preventive care is very important to their overall health and well-being, versus millennials (ages 25–40, 49 percent) and Gen Z (40 percent).
Among Hispanic survey respondents, 31 percent indicate language is a barrier to accessing preventive care resources. As a result, 72 percent have avoided a wellness screening, compared to 46 percent who do not feel it is a barrier. Many Hispanic respondents also agree (61 percent) that healthcare providers and organizations need to better engage and educate the Latino community about the benefits of being proactive with their health and wellness.
A large majority (72 percent) of Hispanic survey respondents diagnosed with cancer found out at a routine medical exam or regularly scheduled annual screening, compared to 46 percent of the general population.
An analysis of Aflac internal data reveals that the company’s cancer wellness benefit claims dropped in 2022 compared to 2019 — notably among younger generations. For every 1,000 Aflac policyholders, cancer policy wellness claims dropped 11 percent for those in their 20s and 9 percent for those in their 30s.
According to the survey, individuals are more likely to schedule checkups and prioritize wellness screenings as adults if their parents or caregivers demonstrated good habits, such as scheduling childhood wellness appointments, early in life. Most individuals are self-motivated to go to the doctor, most notably Baby boomers (64 percent), followed by Gen X (45 percent), millennials (35 percent), and Gen Z (29 percent). Additionally, encouragement from loved ones and financial incentives can help motivate individuals to seek preventive care. Many (64 percent) say they benefit from friends and family who encourage them to go to the doctor for routine visits. Most (85 percent) are more likely to go to a routine checkup appointment if a cash incentive was offered to help with the cost.
