Photo Credit: Umnat Seebuaphan

A cross-sectional study of 89,130 adults found that outpatient well visits and preventive health screenings have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. The findings were published in JAMA Health Forum. Wellness visits decreased in 2022 compared with 2019, with Asian adults experiencing the most significant decline. Additionally, screening rates for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, and common cancers were lower in 2021 compared with 2019, with notable disparities among racial and ethnic groups. Black and Hispanic adults experienced significant declines in colorectal and breast cancer screenings, respectively. These differences persisted even after adjusting for socioeconomic factors. The study underscores the importance of public health efforts to promote preventive health screenings among eligible adults, given the ongoing disparities and the failure of healthcare access and screenings to rebound to pre-pandemic levels.