Survey finds 3 in 10 young adults don't have a doctor; if they do, most don't see them

· Medical Xpress

by Ohio State University Medical Center

edited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Robert Egan

Gaby Clark

Scientific Editor

Meet our editorial team
Behind our editorial process

Robert Egan

Senior Editor

Meet our editorial team
Behind our editorial process Editors' notes

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

fact-checked

trusted source

proofread

The GIST Add as preferred source

Zachary Bittinger, MD (right) reviews medical history with a patient during an annual checkup. Bittinger emphasizes three health priorities with all patients: a balanced diet and exercise plan, updated vaccinations and regular visits to their primary care provider. Credit: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

A new survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center finds young adults are missing out on the health benefits of having a primary care doctor.

The national poll of 1,006 adults found only 71% of adults ages 18–29 have a primary care doctor, compared with 97% of adults 65 and older. Among younger adults who do have a doctor, only 47% have had a checkup in the past year.

"Having a primary doctor is especially important when we're young," said Zachary Bittinger, MD, family medicine physician and clinical assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. "We look ahead five years, 10 years and 20 years, because that's ideally how long you see your primary doctor. 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."

Primary care is often called the front door to the healthcare system, yet a new national survey shows many Americans aren't opening that door at all- leading to delayed diagnoses, missed screenings and worse long-term health outcomes. Credit: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

What happens during an annual physical exam?

Building the patient-doctor relationship can start with an annual physical exam. It's a routine checkup and a chance to discuss health issues and preventive care. Patients will answer questions about their health history and have a physical exam. The physical exam may include the following:

  • Check vital signs like temperature, pulse and breathing rate
  • Measure height, weight and blood pressure
  • Listen to the heart and lungs
  • Look at the mouth and ears
  • Examine the skin
  • Feel the lymph nodes
  • Check for swelling in the arms and legs

Based on the answers to the questions and the physical exam, the doctor may order blood tests to check blood sugar and cholesterol levels. The doctor will review the medical history and may recommend health screenings and vaccinations.

"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."

Jamie Bailey, RPh (left) monitors patient Grant Bunting's (right) glucose at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. Bunting, 64, lives with type 2 diabetes and relies on a team of physicians to control and monitor his blood sugar. Credit: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Where do young adults seek non-emergency care?

When a health issue that is not an emergency arises, young adults turn to urgent care clinics. The survey shows 36% will seek out an urgent care clinic first, while 68% of older adults will contact their primary care provider.

"It's often best to start with your primary care doctor to decide the ideal place to seek care," Bittinger said. "If it's a small problem, we may steer you to urgent care. If it's a medium problem, we can prioritize seeing you. If it's a bigger problem, you may end up in the emergency room."

Seeing a primary care doctor is associated with better health outcomes, fewer hospital stays and less emergency department use.

What is the survey methodology?

This study was conducted by SSRS on its Opinion Panel Omnibus platform. The SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus is a national, twice-per-month, probability-based survey. Data collection was conducted from May 1–3, 2026, among a sample of 1,006 respondents. The survey was conducted via web (n=976) and telephone (n=30) and administered in English. The margin of error for total respondents is plus or minus 3.6 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. All SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus data is weighted to represent the target population of U.S. adults ages 18 or older.

Key medical concepts

Physicians, Primary CareBlood test deviceBlood Glucose

Clinical categories

Family medicinePreventive medicineCommon illnesses & PreventionHealthy livingHealthy aging Provided by Ohio State University Medical Center Who's behind this story?

Gaby Clark

MA in English, copy editor since 2021 with experience in higher education and health content. Dedicated to trustworthy science news. Full profile →

Robert Egan

Bachelor's in mathematical biology, Master's in creative writing. Well-traveled with unique perspectives on science and language. Full profile →

Citation: Survey finds 3 in 10 young adults don't have a doctor; if they do, most don't see them (2026, June 29) retrieved 29 June 2026 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-survey-young-adults-dont-doctor.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.