“The survey found that patients are canceling or deferring important preventive screenings such as pap smears, mammograms and colonoscopies,” said Ted Epperly, MD, AAFP president.
“They also are failing to return for recommended follow-up visits or refill medications that are vital to managing their chronic conditions. Rather than forgoing needed medication altogether, some patients opt to cut their prescriptions, without their physician’s knowledge, to make them last longer.”

Despite these cost-cutting measures, the economic environment is still causing anxiety among patients and is leading them to discuss other health care options with their physician.

“The AAFP supports health care coverage for all Americans regardless of their employment status or socioeconomic status,” he continued. “To achieve that goal and provide better care for all Americans in a cost-efficient manner, we must move toward a health care system based on enhanced primary care.”

The AAFP survey provides further evidence that consumers often defer health care during a recession. Health care is the largest sector of the economy, and people get sick no matter what’s happening on Wall Street. However, even the health care industry ails in tough economic times when some families are forced to prioritize rent or mortgage payments and food over health care services, Epperly said.

For an executive summary of the survey and other related materials, please visit www.aafp.org/media/economy.