COLUMBUS, Ga. – August is National Wellness Month, and key findings from the fourth annual Wellness Matters survey released by Aflac Inc. reveal younger generations – 76% of Gen Z and 63% of millennials – are turning first to artificial intelligence for health support in lieu of seeking professional medical care. 

A wellness paradox is emerging as Americans – particularly younger generations – feel more confident and in control of their health than ever before, yet they have never been less likely to see a doctor. 

According to the survey, 18% of Gen Z and 14% of millennials admit that they will schedule a doctor’s appointment only after exhausting AI or online tools for answers to health questions or when health concerns escalate, compared with 3% of Gen X and 2% of baby boomers. 

On-demand access to social media, health influencers and online search is helping Gen Z and millennials feel more informed and confident on health matters, but they are equally passive when it comes to making preventive care appointments. 

The feeling of being healthy, logistics and frustration associated with doctor’s appointments are the biggest barriers to proactive healthcare for young Americans. Gen Z (42%) and millennials (47%) worry frequently or always about increasing healthcare costs, in line with 50% of Americans overall. 

According to the survey: 

  • Nearly two-thirds of Gen Z (65%) and millennials (61%) admit to delaying or skipping routine checkups and screenings, significantly higher than Gen X (47%) and baby boomers (33%).
  • 35% of Gen Z and 29% of millennials don’t get checkups or screenings on time because they feel healthy, compared with 1 in 4 (24%) Americans overall.
  • Among Gen Z, 2 in 5 (41%) canceled or decided not to schedule an appointment because the wait time was too long, compared with 34% overall.
  • 51% of Gen Z and 48% of millennials say the biggest hurdle to preventive care appointments is logistics, driven by scheduling difficulties, the time it takes for the appointment and challenges taking off work, compared with 43% overall.
  • Gen Z and millennials trust influencers and social media at much higher rates than other generations (23% of Gen Z and 17% of millennials say they trust influencers for health information, compared with 4% of Gen X and 1% of baby boomers; 28% of Gen Z and 20% of millennials trust social media, compared with 6% of Gen X and 4% of baby boomers).
  • 45% of Gen Z and 54% of millennials are consulting online search, medical websites (38%, 40%) and social media (32%, 34%) to manage their health at much higher rates than they consult doctors, nurses or other health professionals (22%, 31%).

“Young Americans are replacing in-person preventive care with the convenience and speed of digital health support,” said Matthew Owenby, Aflac chief human resources officer and chief administrative officer. “The use of AI and other digital-first healthcare resources isn’t inherently negative, as it ultimately depends on how the information is used. What is alarming is the rate that Gen Z is delaying or forgoing preventive care, greatly lessening the opportunity for early detection or a critical health diagnosis from a medical professional.” 

While often bypassing traditional care, Gen Z and millennials are spending more on self-care than any other generation. Gen Z (43%) and millennials (39%) are far more likely to spend at least $100 per month across categories than Gen X (10%) and baby boomers (6%). Categories include vitamins and supplements, organic foods, salon services, mental health therapy, wellness retreats and more. 

They are much less likely to have a primary doctor (48% of Gen Z and 58% of millennials, compared with 79% of Gen X and 87% of baby boomers) but more likely to have a mental health therapist (25% of Gen Z and 29% of millennials, compared with 17% of Gen X and 7% of baby boomers).