New research from Naturecan.com.au reveals 41% of young Australian men (Gen Z and Millennials) say they're 'too busy' to visit a doctor for minor health issues, equating to approximately 2 million people.

This is more than double the rate of older men (17%). The findings highlight a worrying trend of younger men putting off medical care due to busy lifestyles and competing priorities.

The research found Gen Z men are more likely to avoid seeing a doctor for non-critical issues (85%), followed by Millennials (64%). This is compared to just 59% of Gen X and 40% of Baby Boomers who said the same.

This means more than four in five young Australians are routinely putting off medical care, a trend that makes this year’s Movember campaign more critical than ever.

Reasons younger men don’t see a doctor

The reasons for young men avoiding medical consultations are varied, with the following statistics highlighting their concerns:

• I feel too busy and hope the problem will just go away on its own: 41%
• I don't want to make a fuss or be seen as a complainer: 15%
• I feel embarrassed or uncomfortable discussing personal health issues: 10%
• I am worried about what the doctor might find: 3%

"Only 31% of young men say nothing would stop them from seeking medical care, which means we're looking at a significant barrier for the majority," says Dylan de Vrieze, Country Manager at Naturecan.com.au.

Gender divide: Fear vs. time

Among young Australians (Gen Z and Millennials), women are twice as likely as men to avoid doctors due to fear of diagnoses combined with discomfort discussing health concerns (26% vs 13%). In contrast, younger men cite time constraints as their defining barrier, being 7% more likely than young women to say they're too busy and hope problems resolve independently.

"This trend emerges against a backdrop of Australia's cost-of-living crisis and record property prices, which see younger Australians working longer hours to secure financial stability and enter an increasingly unaffordable housing market," says de Vrieze.

“There’s still a stigma around men seeking help, whether that’s for their physical or mental health. Many men put their work, family and financial responsibilities ahead of their wellbeing; they only visit the doctor when something becomes serious. We need to normalise regular check-ups and medical care as part of prevention, not reaction,” he says.

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