The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center commissioned a national poll in May 2026 revealing generational differences in primary care access and utilization among U.S. adults. Data for the survey were collected from May 1 to May 3, 2026.

The poll found that 71% of adults ages 18-29 have a primary care doctor, compared to 97% of adults age 65 and older. Among young adults with a primary care doctor, 47% had a checkup in the past year. In contrast, 36% of young adults reported seeking out an urgent care clinic first for non-emergency health issues. For older adults, 68% contact their primary care provider first for non-emergency health concerns.

Zachary Bittinger, a family medicine physician and clinical assistant professor, said, "It's often best to start with your primary care doctor to decide the ideal place to seek care. If it's a small problem, we may steer you to urgent care. If it's a medium problem, we can prioritize seeing you. If it's a bigger problem, you may end up in the emergency room." He added, "My young, healthy patients might be the picture of health, but they might not know they're behind on their tetanus shot because it's been 10 years. They might not know that it's time for their first Pap test. There are lots of things that crop up that we see coming in primary care from a long way away." Bittinger also noted the value of a long-term relationship with a primary doctor.

"Having a primary doctor is especially important when we're young," Bittinger said. "We look ahead five years, 10 years and 20 years, because that's ideally how long you see your primary doctor. That kind of relationship means that for each stage of life, from college to raising children to retirement, you get the kind of advice that keeps you safe."

An annual physical exam is a routine checkup used to discuss health issues and preventive care. During an exam, patients provide information about their health history and undergo a physical. This examination may involve checking vital signs, measuring height, weight, and blood pressure, listening to the heart and lungs, examining the mouth, ears, and skin, feeling lymph nodes, and checking for swelling in the arms and legs. Based on the health history and physical exam results, a doctor may order blood tests to check blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Doctors may also recommend health screenings and vaccinations after reviewing medical history and exam results.

The survey involved 1,006 respondents, with 976 participating via web and 30 via telephone. The survey was conducted by SSRS on its Opinion Panel Omnibus platform. The margin of error for total respondents is +/-3.6 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. Seeing a primary care doctor is associated with better health outcomes, fewer hospital stays, and less emergency department use.