Triple Threat: 50% of Women Delay or Skip Medical Care Due to Affordability, Access, and Negative Experiences

Prevalence of Delayed Care:
50% of women in the U.S. skip or delay medical care, compared to 37% of men, primarily due to affordability, access challenges, and negative experiences.

Affordability Issues:
Women are 31% more likely than men to skip care due to cost. They are also less financially prepared for unforeseen medical expenses, with 44% reporting they are "not prepared" or "slightly prepared" to pay $500 for an unexpected medical emergency.

Access Barriers:
Women are 50% more likely than men to skip care due to long wait times and twice as likely to miss medical appointments due to transportation issues.

Negative Experiences:
40% of women reported skipping or avoiding care because of how a provider or staff member treated them, including misdiagnosis, dismissal of symptoms, and poor communication.

Healthcare Needs:
Women require an average of 9.9% more healthcare services than men, even excluding maternity-related healthcare expenses, due to biological differences and disease prevalence.

Mental Health Services:
Women are more likely than men to avoid or delay mental health services due to cost, with 29% of women compared to 22% of men.

Strategic Initiatives:
Stakeholders, including employers, health plans, and hospitals, can address these barriers by investing in alternative sites of care, enhancing virtual visits, and improving healthcare affordability and access for women.