Inflation led a record high 38% of Americans to delay medical treatment due to costs last year, Gallup reported Tuesday in an annual poll.
The percentage who reported they or a family member postponed medical treatment is up from 26% at the end of 2021. It is the highest in the 22 years the polling company has surveyed the issue.
“This change came amid the highest inflation rate in the U.S. in more than 40 years, which made 2022 a challenging year for many Americans,” Gallup said.
An average of 29% of adults reported putting off medical treatment due to cost between 2001 and 2021, according to Gallup.