Patient Health Beliefs, Priorities, and Fears for 2024: National Survey Highlights
Age-old resolutions for a new year persist, according to findings of an early December online survey of 1000 US adults. For example, 45% of respondents said they will prioritize exercising on a regular basis and more than one-third (37%) will focus on weight loss. Other questions posed in the survey conducted by mobile prescribing app iPrescribe for Dr First focused on respondents' other intentions for their health in 2024, on concerns about costs of medication and potential changes in insurance coverage.
This short slide show highlights the rest of the results in an at-a-glance format. Some patients in your panel may have similar thoughts.
Top health priorities for 2024 among a nationally representative sample of US adults surveyed in December 2023.
Initiating treatment with an antiobesity medication for weight loss in 2024 is an anticipated aspect of a plan for better health in the new year.
Increasing use of antiobesity medications is expected, the survey found, with 4 in 10 saying that will become the norm for weight management and about one-third believing the costs will come down over time.
Surveyed US adults also expect to start taking prescription medication for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and hypertension.
Health care professionals using artificial intelligence is supported by two-thirds of respondents but only to aid in decision making, not to make the health care decisions.
US adults turn to a wide variety of technologies to learn about health problems and potential remedies including one-quarter who say they use generative AI platforms, ie, ChatGPT and Google Bard.
Concern about the rising costs of prescription medication are top of mind for 70% of respondents; many would look for less expensive options or additional support but others would cut back on doses or forego the medication altogether.
The potential for a change in health care insurance coverage makes many uneasy with associated costs linked to a new plan of great concern.
Insurance plan changes would trigger a search for a new clinician but many would choose to stay with a current health care provider as long as it was affordable to do so.