IT’S A PARADOX: we track our 10Ks, log our macros and squeeze another set out of stubborn muscles, but when it comes to routine health checks, the numbers tell a very different story. New research from iSelect shows that almost nine in ten Australians have delayed or outright skipped at least one important health check in the past year.
The most commonly neglected appointments aren’t really things we should be skipping. Skin checks sit at the top of the list, with only around one in four people attending when recommended. That’s a worrying stat in a country with some of the highest melanoma rates in the world. Hearing tests and mental health appointments fare almost as poorly, with fewer than three in ten people keeping up with them when advised.
Dentistry, too, is an easy one to avoid. One in five Australians skipped a dental check-up entirely in the past 12 months, while a significant number pushed theirs out by more than a year. Even visits to the GP are being postponed, with more than a third of people delaying or skipping regular appointments. Over half have put off recommended screenings such as cancer checks or cardiovascular tests, including blood pressure and cholesterol monitoring.
So, why are so many of us risking our health? Cost is the most commonly cited reason. Dental care in particular is often seen as expensive and easy to delay, while out-of-pocket costs also deter people from booking physio, mental health appointments and GP visits. When budgets are tight, preventive care is often one of the first things to go.
But money isn’t the only factor. A large proportion of people simply don’t believe certain checks are necessary. Despite the risks, many Australians who skipped a skin check felt they didn’t need one. The same thinking applied to hearing tests and vaccinations.
Busy schedules, long wait times, difficulty getting appointments outside work hours and anxiety about what a check-up might uncover all play a role, too. Men were found to skip or delay a slightly higher share of checks overall than women, and were more likely to dismiss appointments because they didn’t see them as necessary.
The problem with this approach is quite clear. Many of the most serious health issues aren’t obvious unless you get tested early. High blood pressure, cholesterol, skin cancers and hearing loss often progress unless detected. By the time symptoms are obvious, treatment is more complex, more expensive and far more disruptive.
Our advice, as always, is to get checked. Organise an appointment here.
