Afraid to Go to the Doctor

Many Americans are now afraid to go to the doctor, according to a Gallup survey. People who need routine medical care—nothing to do with coronavirus—are afraid to visit a clinic or doctor's office.

Here's the question Gallup asked on March 28-April 2: "If you needed medical treatment right now, how concerned would you be about being exposed to coronavirus at a doctor's office or hospital?" Fully 83 percent of Americans say they would be moderately or very concerned, with 42 percent very concerned. Only 4 percent say they would not be concerned at all.

By age, there is little variation in the degree of concern. Young adults aged 18 to 29 (83 percent) are just as likely as those aged 65 or older (82 percent) to be moderately or very concerned.

By health condition, people who are immune compromised are most likely to be moderately or very concerned about going to a doctor's office or hospital (92 percent), with the 56 percent majority very concerned. Most of those with kidney disease and COPD are also very concerned.

Source: Gallup, Americans Worry Doctor Visits Raise Covid-19 Risk