You may feel perfectly healthy in your 20s, but doctors say that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in the clear. While many young Black adults are focused on work, school, relationships, and daily responsibilities, routine healthcare often falls to the bottom of the priority list — and that could have consequences that are easy to miss.
Many young adults may be missing important preventive healthcare screenings, according to a national survey.
The poll of more than 1,000 U.S. adults, commissioned by Ohio State University in Columbus, found that only 71 percent of people ages 18 to 29 have a regular doctor, compared with 97 percent of adults 65 and older.
Even among young adults who do have a doctor, fewer than half — just 47 percent — had a checkup in the past year.
The authors say skipping routine visits can mean missing recommended screenings, vaccines and early warning signs of conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Many of these conditions can develop gradually and often show few or no symptoms in their early stages, making regular medical appointments an important opportunity for detection and prevention.
Doctors warn that young adults frequently feel healthy enough to postpone care because they are less likely to experience chronic illness than older populations. However, preventive medicine focuses not only on treating illness but also on identifying risks before serious problems develop.
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Dr. Zachary Bittinger, a family medicine physician at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, said having a primary doctor is especially important when you are young.
“We look ahead five years, 10 years and 20 years, because that’s ideally how long you see your primary doctor,” he said. “That kind of relationship means that for each stage of life, from college to raising children to retirement, you get the kind of advice that keeps you safe.”
Healthcare providers say maintaining a long-term relationship allows them to better understand a patient’s personal medical history, family background and lifestyle factors. Over time, this can help doctors identify subtle changes in health that might otherwise be overlooked during isolated visits to urgent care centers or walk-in clinics.
The survey also found that young adults are more likely to turn to urgent care for non-emergency health issues. In all, 36 percent said they would go to an urgent care clinic first, while 68 percent of older adults said they would contact their regular doctor.
Experts say urgent care clinics can provide convenient treatment for illnesses such as infections, minor injuries and sudden symptoms, but they are generally not designed to provide comprehensive long-term care. Unlike primary care providers, urgent care centers may not consistently track a person’s medical history, vaccination records or preventive care needs over time.
“My young, healthy patients might be the picture of health, but they might not know they’re behind on their tetanus shot because it’s been 10 years,” Bittinger said. “They might not know that it’s time for their first Pap test. There are lots of things that crop up that we see coming in primary care from a long way away.”
Physicians say regular checkups can also uncover health issues that younger adults may dismiss or overlook. Symptoms such as persistent fatigue, headaches, digestive issues, changes in weight or sleep disturbances can sometimes be linked to underlying conditions that benefit from early attention.
Routine visits can also create opportunities to discuss mental health, stress, anxiety, depression, nutrition, sleep habits and lifestyle choices. For many young adults balancing school, careers, finances and relationships, these conversations can be just as important as physical health screenings.
Even if you feel healthy, experts say you may want to schedule an appointment if:
• You haven’t had a routine exam in more than a year
• You do not know when you last received vaccines, such as a tetanus booster
• You have a family history of diabetes, heart disease, cancer or high blood pressure
• You are experiencing ongoing fatigue, sleep problems or changes in mood
• You have not had recommended screenings for your age and health history
• You rely primarily on urgent care visits for your healthcare needs
Healthcare providers recommend a few simple ways to build healthy habits early:
• Establish care with a primary doctor before you actually need medical attention
• Keep a list of medications, allergies and family medical history
• Schedule annual wellness appointments and put reminders in your phone calendar
• Ask questions about vaccines and age-specific screenings
• Discuss mental health concerns openly with your healthcare provider
• Don’t ignore small symptoms that persist or continue to return
Researchers say the findings suggest that improving access to regular healthcare and increasing awareness of preventive medicine among younger adults may help reduce future health complications. As many young people navigate major life transitions such as college, starting careers and living independently, healthcare providers say maintaining routine medical care should remain an important part of overall well-being.
While you may feel healthy today, physicians emphasize that preventive care is an investment in your future health. Building a relationship with a primary doctor early in life may help establish habits that support better health outcomes for years to come.
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