Fact Sheet Library: 2008 Survey of Health Care Consumers

Health care attitude and behavior statistics

Published

The trend toward consumer-driven health care is undeniable, but individual consumers vary in the extent and way they engage health care options. For example, the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions’ "2008 Survey of Health Care Consumers" found telling differences in attitudes when segmented by demographics such as age, gender and ethnicity. To break down this complex issue, explore the fact sheets below, which provide brief outlines and statistics on consumer desires, needs and habits.

Health Care Consumer Overview:

Big Picture: By the Numbers
93 percent of consumers say they’re not adequately prepared for future health care costs.

Reality Check
Survey findings challenge some of the conventional wisdom Americans express about the health care system.

Men vs. Women
When it comes to health care attitudes and actions, the divide between the two genders is wide.

Health Care Consumer Issues and Trends:

	Retail Clinics The appetite for retail medical clinics is real, and growing, and the potential for future success substantial.
	Online Access When it comes to questions of adding value to health care services, greater digital connectivity leads the list.
	Politics and Public Policy 79 percent of respondents said health care will play an important role in their presidential decision-making.
	The Marriage of Wellness and Health Care The issue of prevention has gained great currency in the public discussion of how to reform health care.
	Impact on Doctors Consumers increasingly want services they currently aren’t getting from many of their doctors, such as greater access to information.
	Medical Tourism Nearly 40 percent of respondents said they would travel abroad for medical treatment, if the quality was comparable and the cost was cut in half.
	Uninsured vs. Insured It’s widely accepted that the number of Americans without health care coverage is creeping toward the 50 million mark.

Health Care Consumer by Generation:

	Generation Y 69.6 percent of Gen Y have a relationship with a primary care physician (compared to 82 percent of the survey population overall).
	Generation X Generation X tends to be less trustful of, and want more personal attention and time from, their physicians.
	Baby Boomers This generation is the most likely to use alternative medicines and therapies, and make medical decisions independent of their doctors.
	Seniors Seniors are less likely than other age groups to support higher taxes to cover the uninsured, and they rank highest in favor of mandated health insurance.

Health Care Consumer by Ethnicity:

Hispanic Consumer
19 percent of Hispanic respondents get “quality of care” information from health Web sites, compared to less than 15 percent of respondents overall.