 Ever wonder how healthcare needs vary across generations or geographic regions? Our data scientists analyzed top healthcare searches and spending by age, industry, and location. |
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In 2016, people in their 20s and 30s had pregnancy on their minds — searches for prenatal care and delivery options being the most popular among this age group. Also, protection against disease ranked high in healthcare trends. Searches for the HPV vaccine ranked high as well.
But wait, too much of a good thing? It looks like people in their mid-30s through mid-40s were changing their minds about pregnancy, especially men. As a result, this group was more likely to search for procedures like vasectomies.
As parents moved into their late 40s, their attention shifted to their children's healthcare. Consequently, 45-49 year-olds searched for pediatric endocrinology more than any other age group. (Pediatric endocrinology focuses on children’s growth and hormones and conditions like diabetes.)
Kid or no kid, people in their 50s started prioritizing their own health. They searched for recommended preventive care screenings like colonoscopies and bone density scans more than other age groups.
Can you guess one of the most popular searches for people in their 60s? Cataract surgery ranks in the top searches for this age group. Fortunately, it’s one of the lowest complication and highest benefit surgeries. By age 80, more than 50 percent of Americans will have a cataract or have undergone cataract surgery.
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Where in the U.S. are you most likely to search for acupuncture? Yep, you guessed it — the West! Other top searches were less predictable. Most noteworthy were MRIs in the South, mammograms in the Northeast, and electromyography procedures (EMGs) in the Midwest. Talk to your friends and family in these areas to see if their needs match our healthcare trends.
West:
– Acupuncture – Colonoscopy – Mental health
Midwest: – Birth control – Electromyography (EMG) – Meningitis vaccine
South: – Cardiologist visit – Dermatology – MRI
Northeast:
– Mammogram – Ultrasound – X-ray
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If you're between the ages of 18-24 to 65+, your out-of-pocket spending can increase by up to two times due to increasing healthcare needs. Why? Probably because, as you age, you have more office visits and exposure to prescription medications. You may also have more hospital stays for instances of heart attacks or strokes caused by hypertension. There are, however, preventive measures you can take to stay healthy and keep costs down. Each year, check your age group’s list of preventive care and screenings. Most preventive care is provided for free.
