If you feel like booking a doctor’s appointment is as much of a drag as a cold that won’t quit, you’re not alone: A new study from ZocDoc reveals that 80 percent of Americans are delaying (or entirely skipping) annual checkups for preventative care.
And it’s millennials who are really dropping the ball—9 in 10 admitted to not scheduling a visit to their primary physician, while 51 percent said they go less than once a year. Sounds about right, considering our own poor track records when it comes to visiting an MD.
But wait, it gets worse: The survey found that this dangerous form of procrastination is also more prevalent with women. Sixty six percent of females who are already sick said they’d rather wait than booking something right away, leaving 46 percent to self-diagnose.
Googling your ailments will not only send you into a rabbit hole of hysteria, but if you’re not a trained professional, you could really be missing out on an important opinion. So step away from the computer and book it to your primary’s office, stat—we’re willing to bet he or she hasn’t seen you in awhile.
