Holistic - Are you putting your health at risk?

More than half of Australians could be putting their health at risk, with worrying new research from Compare the Market revealing that 51.1% of Aussies surveyed* admit to avoiding professional help for health issues.

The research found that around 1 in 5 people surveyed (19.5%) are taking matters into their own hands by Googling their symptoms or seeking advice from social media.

Compare the Market’s Executive General Manager of Health, Steven Spicer, encouraged anyone seeking health advice online to exercise caution.

“The reality is that while there are plenty of great resources available online, it’s becoming a little murky to decipher what’s legitimate health advice and what isn’t,” Mr Spicer said.

“While the internet can be a great starting point if you’re experiencing a symptom or health concerns, always ensure the facts are accurate and current. And, if you’re suffering a medical emergency, head straight to your hospital or seek advice from your GP.

“Look for legitimate health professionals, Australian Government websites and trusted brands with a track record for providing authoritative health advice and information.

“We’ve heard of people in our own office being bamboozled by advice they’ve found on TikTok or social media that looked and sounded real but wasn’t, so always ensure you’re dotting your ‘I’s and crossing your ‘t’s when it comes to your health.”

The research also found that around 20% of respondents avoided seeking professional help for a health issue over fears a doctor would discover a serious issue, and that one in 10 people put off a doctor visit because they’re embarrassed to discuss their health issues.

Additionally, 6.3% avoided seeking medical treatment because they didn’t think a health professional would take their issue seriously, and  5.6% believed they would be wasting their doctor’s time

Other barriers included fears of the cost (14.7%), lack of time (7.3%), and the preferred doctor not being available (9.6%).

“With bulk-billing doctors disappearing and healthcare costs rising, it’s alarming to see that so many Australians could be suffering in silence because they fear how much a visit to the doctor will cost,” Mr Spicer said. “We would encourage Australians to see if they’re eligible for any free tests or appointments or if any rebates are available to ease the financial burden.

“For example, we know that Medicare can cover eye tests performed by an optometrist. There are a number of free national cancer screening programs, and you may be eligible for other appointments if you’re a concession card holder or meet certain criteria.

“And, if you have health insurance, your policy may already contribute to things like dental visits, prescription eyewear, psychology and more. It’s worth checking before delaying or avoiding these types of appointments completely.”

*Survey of 1,001 Australian adults, conducted September 2024.