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‘Fear of finding out’ delays access to healthcare

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‘Fear of finding out’ delays access to healthcare

Almost a third of people who consciously put off or avoid seeking medical advice about their health concerns do so because of the ‘fear of finding out’ something they don’t want to hear. This is the conclusion of a new evidence review published by AbbVie, a research-based biopharmaceutical company, in partnership with think tank 2020health.

The report, titled The Fear of Finding Out: identifying psychological barriers to symptom presentation and diagnosis in the UK, reveals that these anxieties are more common in people who have unhealthy habits such as smoking or a poor diet, and argues that this is one of the main barriers to people making healthier lifestyle choices. It also highlights the importance of engaging with preventative healthcare and combatting the issue of the ‘fear of finding out’.

AbbVie spokesperson Alan Milburn said: “With 15 million people living with a long-term health condition, there are huge implications to delaying seeking medical advice. Delayed diagnosis means more complicated and costly treatment and can ultimately lead to more deaths. In today’s ageing society it has never been more important to address the barriers preventing people from accessing medical support.”

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