New Ipsos Survey Reveals Critical Gaps in Women's Preventive Health Care Access
In a recent Ipsos survey commissioned by the Alliance for Women’s Health and Prevention (AWHP), striking statistics have emerged regarding the accessibility of preventive healthcare services for women. The survey reveals that an alarming 42% of American women are either forgoing essential preventive services such as annual check-ups and vaccines or are encountering difficulties in obtaining appointments with healthcare providers. This survey, encompassing responses from 3,199 women aged 18 and older, provides insight into their healthcare experiences, information sources, and the disparities prevalent in wellness services.
Women face considerable challenges when it comes to accessing preventive healthcare. The survey indicates that more than 40% of respondents have struggled to obtain necessary care in the last year, primarily due to affordability concerns, time constraints from other responsibilities, and prioritization issues.
Here are some of the specific issues reported:
The reasons cited by women for not receiving preventive care in the past 12 months include feeling unnecessary to seek care (29%), inability to afford co-pays (22%), and being unable to manage responsibilities like work or childcare (19%). This data is particularly concerning for those with family histories of critical health issues such as cancer or cardiovascular diseases.
Millicent Gorham, CEO of AWHP, emphasizes the need for improved accessibility, stating, "Barriers related to affordability and information continue to hinder women’s access to preventive healthcare, including vaccines and routine screenings. We must advocate for equitable healthcare policies to ensure all women, regardless of background, can access necessary preventive services."
The survey also indicates a shift in how women seek health information, with 66% reporting that healthcare providers are their primary source. However, a notable 39% of women find social media helpful in gathering health information and peer support, with 23% acknowledging they have acted on health advice they encountered online. Interestingly, 24% of women under 50 consider health influencers as trustworthy as medical professionals, although 68% have experienced confusion regarding health information shared on these platforms.
Cheruba Prabakar, MD, highlights the importance of consulting healthcare professionals while navigating health resources on social media, noting that while these platforms foster community, they should complement rather than replace professional medical advice.
The survey revealed that nearly half of the respondents (48%) felt there is stigma surrounding vaccinations. Still, a remarkable 92% stressed the importance of vaccines being accessible to everyone and covered by insurance.
Women cited several barriers to vaccination, including concerns about side effects (38%), a belief that they do not currently need a vaccine (28%), and affordability (13%).
Awareness of cancer screening tests is high, with 85% familiar with breast cancer screenings, 70% with colorectal screenings, and 65% with cervical screenings, although only 28% knew about lung cancer screenings. The figures reflecting adherence to these tests show worrying gaps:
Notably, just 47% of women reported undergoing cervical cancer screenings in their lifetime, indicating substantial gaps potentially rooted in accessibility, awareness, or perceived need for such preventive measures. The survey underscores that Black and Hispanic women face more stigma when seeking cancer-related services compared to their White counterparts.
The findings from the AWHP/Ipsos survey reflect existing disparities in women’s healthcare accessibility, revealing a pressing need for targeted efforts to enhance education, affordability, and accessibility for preventive healthcare. Such initiatives are essential for addressing the healthcare needs of all women, especially those in underserved communities. The survey serves as a call to action for all stakeholders to improve equity and access in women's health.
Major Challenges in Accessing Preventive Care
Women face considerable challenges when it comes to accessing preventive healthcare. The survey indicates that more than 40% of respondents have struggled to obtain necessary care in the last year, primarily due to affordability concerns, time constraints from other responsibilities, and prioritization issues.
Here are some of the specific issues reported:
- - Routine vaccinations not received: 26%
- - Skipping preventive health services: 19%
- - Omitting medical tests or treatments: 13%
- - Cannot get an appointment with a primary care provider: 12%
- - Unable to schedule an appointment with an obstetrician: 8%
- - Missed diagnostic tests or examinations: 5%
- - Any of the above experiences: 42%
The reasons cited by women for not receiving preventive care in the past 12 months include feeling unnecessary to seek care (29%), inability to afford co-pays (22%), and being unable to manage responsibilities like work or childcare (19%). This data is particularly concerning for those with family histories of critical health issues such as cancer or cardiovascular diseases.
Millicent Gorham, CEO of AWHP, emphasizes the need for improved accessibility, stating, "Barriers related to affordability and information continue to hinder women’s access to preventive healthcare, including vaccines and routine screenings. We must advocate for equitable healthcare policies to ensure all women, regardless of background, can access necessary preventive services."
The Role of Social Media in Health Information
The survey also indicates a shift in how women seek health information, with 66% reporting that healthcare providers are their primary source. However, a notable 39% of women find social media helpful in gathering health information and peer support, with 23% acknowledging they have acted on health advice they encountered online. Interestingly, 24% of women under 50 consider health influencers as trustworthy as medical professionals, although 68% have experienced confusion regarding health information shared on these platforms.
Cheruba Prabakar, MD, highlights the importance of consulting healthcare professionals while navigating health resources on social media, noting that while these platforms foster community, they should complement rather than replace professional medical advice.
Vaccination Attitudes and Disparities
The survey revealed that nearly half of the respondents (48%) felt there is stigma surrounding vaccinations. Still, a remarkable 92% stressed the importance of vaccines being accessible to everyone and covered by insurance.
- - 73% reported being up-to-date with their vaccinations, and half had discussions with their healthcare providers about vaccines in the last year. However, considerable racial disparities persist in vaccination rates; only 42% of Black women and 46% of Hispanic women reported being vaccinated in the past year, compared to 55% of White women.
Women cited several barriers to vaccination, including concerns about side effects (38%), a belief that they do not currently need a vaccine (28%), and affordability (13%).
Cancer Screening Disparities
Awareness of cancer screening tests is high, with 85% familiar with breast cancer screenings, 70% with colorectal screenings, and 65% with cervical screenings, although only 28% knew about lung cancer screenings. The figures reflecting adherence to these tests show worrying gaps:
- - 74% of women are up-to-date with breast cancer screenings.
- - 61% for cervical cancer screenings.
- - 60% for colorectal cancer screenings.
- - 36% for lung cancer screenings.
Notably, just 47% of women reported undergoing cervical cancer screenings in their lifetime, indicating substantial gaps potentially rooted in accessibility, awareness, or perceived need for such preventive measures. The survey underscores that Black and Hispanic women face more stigma when seeking cancer-related services compared to their White counterparts.
Conclusion
The findings from the AWHP/Ipsos survey reflect existing disparities in women’s healthcare accessibility, revealing a pressing need for targeted efforts to enhance education, affordability, and accessibility for preventive healthcare. Such initiatives are essential for addressing the healthcare needs of all women, especially those in underserved communities. The survey serves as a call to action for all stakeholders to improve equity and access in women's health.
Topics Health）
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