More than one in four Gen Z adults do not have a primary care provider, according to a recent national survey by the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Even among those who do have a regular doctor, annual checkups are often skipped. Only 47% of adults aged 18 to 29 reported having a wellness visit within the past year.
Health experts warn that avoiding routine medical care in early adulthood can have long-term consequences. Regular visits help identify future health risks, keep preventive screenings on track and establish a trusted relationship with a clinician. Concerns are growing as diseases traditionally associated with older age increasingly affect younger adults, including colorectal cancer, which has become a leading cause of cancer deaths among people under 50.
Turning to urgent care instead
The survey of 1,006 Americans found that while 97% of adults aged 65 and older have a regular doctor, the figure falls to 71% among younger adults.
Many Gen Z patients now use urgent care clinics as their first stop for non-emergency health concerns. Around 36% said they would seek treatment at an immediate care facility before consulting a primary care physician.
Doctors caution that while urgent care clinics offer convenience, they cannot replace the benefits of continuous care from a physician who understands a patient's medical history and can spot patterns over time.
Younger adults may underestimate risks
Experts say younger adults are often less concerned about health issues because they tend to face fewer age-related illnesses such as cardiovascular disease or dementia.
However, that does not mean they are immune from serious conditions. Medical guidelines in the United States lowered the recommended age for routine colorectal cancer screening from 50 to 45, with some individuals requiring even earlier screening based on family history.
Physicians also stress that patients should not hesitate to change doctors if they feel their concerns are not being heard.
When patients feel dismissed
For some young adults, finding a trusted physician can be difficult.
Twenty-seven-year-old Las Vegas resident Olivia Hall said she saw seven primary care providers over six years before receiving a diagnosis of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a disorder affecting blood circulation.
Hall said repeated dismissals of her symptoms led to years of frustration before a referral to a specialist finally resulted in answers. She believes a supportive doctor can spare patients years of uncertainty and self-doubt.
Access and cost remain barriers
Healthcare experts say access to primary care is becoming increasingly difficult, particularly in rural areas and heavily populated cities.
According to a 2025 projection by the US Health Resources and Services Administration, the country could face a shortage of more than 70,000 primary care physicians by 2038.
Cost is another factor discouraging younger adults from seeking regular care. Rising healthcare expenses and uncertainty about insurance coverage can make routine appointments feel financially risky.
The issue can become more pronounced after age 26, when young adults are no longer eligible to remain on their parents' health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
Why primary care still matters
Experts emphasise that urgent care centres are designed to treat immediate illnesses and minor injuries, not to replace ongoing healthcare.
A primary care physician can monitor changes in a patient's health over time, coordinate specialist referrals when necessary and focus on prevention rather than simply treating individual episodes of illness.
While urgent care may offer convenience, regular checkups remain one of the most effective tools for identifying problems early and maintaining long-term health.
Source: CNN
