A recent Deloitte report reveals that half of adult women either skip or delay necessary medical care, primarily due to high healthcare costs, limited access to care, and negative healthcare experiences. The report highlights that women are 35% more likely than men to postpone or forgo medical care, with a 31% higher likelihood of doing so specifically due to financial constraints.
“These findings underscore the critical link between women’s health and economic stability,” said Dr. Kulleni Gebreyes, U.S. Chief Health Equity Officer and Managing Principal at Deloitte’s Life Sciences and Healthcare division. “Addressing these barriers can pave the way for a future where women are not forced to choose between their health and financial security.”
High medical costs are identified as the primary obstacle to accessing healthcare, with 21% of women citing this issue, up from 15% in 2015. Women are 31% more likely than men to delay or skip care due to cost-related issues, a disparity attributed to higher out-of-pocket expenses and lower financial security.
Deloitte’s previous research highlights that women incur $15.4 billion more annually in out-of-pocket healthcare costs compared to men. Even when excluding maternity care, women require an average of 9.9% more healthcare services than men.
Beyond costs, access to care poses significant challenges. According to the latest report, 15% of women delay or forgo care due to long wait times for appointments, and 8% are discouraged by extended wait times at clinics or hospitals. Women are 50% more likely than men to miss care due to these delays.
Transportation issues also contribute to the problem, with 9% of women reporting difficulty accessing appointments compared to just 4% of men. Despite these barriers, women are leading the push for more accessible care options, with 80% of those who have used virtual care expressing satisfaction with its convenience. Additionally, 45% found the appointment slots more manageable, 19% appreciated the reduced time commitment, and 17% noted easier booking processes for virtual appointments.
The report also reveals that poor past experiences with healthcare contribute to women skipping or delaying care. Seven percent of women reported avoiding care due to unsatisfactory previous encounters. A separate 2021 Deloitte study found that 40% of women had avoided medical care specifically because of negative interactions with healthcare providers.
Misunderstandings of women’s health issues may also affect care quality. The report indicates that clinical evidence often reflects male presentations of diseases, leading to misdiagnoses or overlooked symptoms in women. Cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death among women, is often under-diagnosed because it presents differently in women than in men.
“Addressing these gender disparities in healthcare requires a focused effort on understanding and addressing women’s unique health needs,” said Jen Radin, Principal and Risk and Financial Advisory Healthcare Practice Leader at Deloitte. “It’s crucial for stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem to prioritize women’s health to close the gaps and ensure equitable access to essential services.”
The findings call for a concerted effort to enhance healthcare access, affordability, and quality for women, recognizing their vital role in both the paid and unpaid workforce.
