Engaging younger generations in preventive healthcare
A recent study highlights how Generation Z struggles to make preventive healthcare a habit, with a significant percentage skipping annual visits and lacking a clear understanding of what preventive care entails. To address this, we examine how preventive care is perceived across different generations, explore their attitudes towards it, and identify a few strategies to help Gen Z -ers to take control of their health with confidence.
Premises:
Challenges faced by healthcare organizations to engage Gen Z-ers:
- Demographic overview: Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, is less engaged in preventive care compared to older generations.
- Low utilization of preventive care:
- 40% of Gen Z patients skipped an annual wellness visit in the past year.
- Over a third did not receive any preventive care during the same period.
- Awareness and knowledge gaps:
- Research indicates that Gen Z-ers have a more limited understanding of what “preventive care” entails.
- Only 54% of Gen Z feel confident in their understanding of preventive care, compared to 84% among Non-Gen Z individuals.
- Gen Z-ers also express uncertainty about whether their insurance covers preventive care services.
- Insufficient reminders:
- Gen Z receives fewer reminders for check-ups and screenings compared to other generations.
"When patients don’t know
about the types of care available
to them, they’re less likely to seek it."
How to close the gap:
- Provide information often: Regular reminders to Gen Z patients about upcoming or overdue appointments are vital to reduce no-shows and boost preventive care engagement.
- Make it easy to navigate: Simplify the connection with health plans by providing clear, step-by-step guidance on how to request an appointment.
- Offer comprehensive preventive checkups: Ensure access to a wide range of screenings and services, including:
- Immunizations
- Cholesterol monitoring
- Blood pressure checks
- Colorectal cancer screenings
- Well-baby and well-child visits
- Hepatitis B and C screenings
- HIV testing
- Depression evaluations
- Diabetes management
- Lung cancer screenings
- Lifestyle counseling
- Osteoporosis assessments
- Provide essential information on preventive care: Focus on addressing common questions and concerns, such as:
- How much it is covered by insurance
- How do I schedule preventive care?
- When do I need preventive care?
- How preventive care/screenings are performed?
- What preventive care is relevant to me
- Why preventive care is important for my health?