Why Nearly Half of American Women Skip Preventive Care—And What's Changing

Nearly half of American women in the United States forgo preventive care services such as checkups and screenings, creating a significant health gap that affects not just individual women but entire families and communities. This alarming statistic from a 2023 survey by the Alliance for Women's Health and Prevention highlights how women's health has been historically overlooked and underserved, but innovative new approaches are beginning to change this landscape.

What Makes Women Skip Essential Health Screenings?

The reasons women avoid preventive care are complex and interconnected. Research shows that women spend about 25% more time in poor health compared to men, with the majority of women's disease burden coming from conditions that are specific to women or impact them differently. An estimated 60% of women ages 50 to 64 live with a chronic health condition requiring regular monitoring, yet many still skip the very appointments that could catch problems early.

Traditional healthcare models often fail to accommodate women's real-life responsibilities and scheduling challenges. Many women juggle work, family caregiving, and other commitments that make it difficult to prioritize their own health needs during standard business hours.

How New Care Models Are Breaking Down Barriers?

Forward-thinking healthcare institutions are redesigning women's health services to address these longstanding barriers. The recently announced Tamer Institute for Women's Health at the University of Miami Health System represents this new approach, offering several key innovations:

• Co-located multidisciplinary teams: Instead of visiting multiple specialists in different locations, women can access coordinated care from various experts in one place
• Life-stage personalized treatment: Care plans tailored specifically to each stage of a woman's life, from adolescence through reproductive years, perimenopause, and postmenopausal years
• Flexible scheduling options: Appointment times designed to work around women's busy lives and family commitments
• Family-friendly design: Clinical spaces that accommodate the reality that women often bring children or need to coordinate family care

"Women deserve care that is designed for them, not adapted to them," said Sandra Tamer, whose family's philanthropic gift established the new institute. "Our family's gift is about building a best-in-class institute in South Florida, one that provides a holistic care model, personalized experience for patients, co-located care teams and a life stage approach."

Why Prevention Pays Off in the Long Run?

The financial benefits of preventive care extend far beyond individual savings. Prevention consistently costs less than treatment—a routine cleaning and exam costs a fraction of what patients spend on major dental work like root canals or implants. Many insurance plans recognize this reality by covering preventive services at 100%, understanding that keeping patients healthy costs less than treating advanced disease.

Early detection through regular screenings can transform serious health issues into manageable ones. Digital X-rays and comprehensive exams can catch small cavities that need only simple fillings, preventing them from becoming complex problems requiring crowns or root canals. The same principle applies across all areas of women's health—catching issues early leads to simpler, less expensive treatments.

"This investment directly addresses the preventive care gap and strengthens chronic condition management, improving outcomes for women and creating positive ripple effects for families and communities," said Michael J. Paidas, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the Miller School.

The connection between oral health and overall wellbeing exemplifies why comprehensive preventive care matters so much. Research continues to show links between gum disease and serious health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory problems, demonstrating how maintaining health in one area supports the body's overall function.

As healthcare systems recognize the unique challenges women face in accessing preventive care, these innovative approaches offer hope for closing the care gap that has persisted for too long. By designing services around women's actual needs and life circumstances, rather than expecting women to adapt to inflexible systems, healthcare providers can finally deliver the comprehensive, accessible care that leads to better health outcomes for everyone.