Ohio State survey finds many young adults lack a primary care doctor

A national survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found 29% of adults ages 18-29 do not have a primary care doctor, and fewer than half of those who do had a checkup in the past year. The findings point to missed screenings, delayed care and more reliance on urgent care and emergency rooms.

Why it matters: - Young adults who skip primary care may miss vaccines, screenings and early treatment for health issues that are easier to catch before they become serious. - Fewer routine visits can push more people toward urgent care or the emergency room for problems that could have been handled earlier. - Physicians say the primary care relationship matters over time because it helps guide care through different life stages.

What happened: - A national poll of 1,006 adults commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found 71% of adults ages 18-29 have a primary care doctor. - The same survey found 97% of adults ages 65 and older have a primary care doctor. - Among younger adults who do have a doctor, 47% said they had a checkup in the past year. - The survey found 36% of young adults would first seek urgent care for a non-emergency health issue. - Among older adults, 68% said they would contact their primary care provider first.

The details: - Zachary Bittinger, a family medicine physician and clinical assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, said primary care is especially important when people are young. - Bittinger said the doctor-patient relationship can support care from college through retirement. - An annual physical exam can include review of health history and a physical exam. - The exam may include checking vital signs, height, weight and blood pressure. - The exam may also include listening to the heart and lungs, looking at the mouth and ears, examining skin, feeling lymph nodes and checking for swelling in the arms and legs. - Based on the visit, a doctor may order blood tests for blood sugar and cholesterol. - A doctor may also recommend health screenings and vaccinations. - Bittinger said young patients may not know they are behind on tetanus shots or due for a first Pap test.

Between the lines: - The survey suggests many young adults use care reactively instead of building an ongoing relationship with a doctor. - That gap may leave preventable issues undiscovered until they need more intensive treatment. - Primary care can help steer patients to the right setting, whether that is office care, urgent care or the emergency room. - The survey’s age gap is stark enough to suggest routine care habits change sharply across generations.

What's next: - The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is using the findings to reinforce the value of annual physicals and primary care for younger adults. - The survey data may prompt more discussion about how to connect young adults with routine preventive care. - As Bittinger noted, earlier primary care relationships can shape health guidance across decades of life.

The bottom line: - Young adults are far less likely than older adults to have a regular doctor, and that can mean missed prevention and more costly care later. - Survey methodology: SSRS conducted the poll on its Opinion Panel Omnibus platform from May 1-3, 2026, using 976 web interviews and 30 telephone interviews in English. The margin of error was plus or minus 3.6 percentage points at the 95% confidence level, and results were weighted to represent U.S. adults ages 18 and older.