Gender Differences in Routine Health Maintenance Examinations Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Area of Science:

• Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Medicine
• Public Health
• Healthcare Disparities

Background:

• Adolescent and young adult (AYA) males historically exhibit lower healthcare utilization compared to their female peers.
• Understanding gender-specific healthcare-seeking behaviors is crucial for addressing health inequities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess gender differences in routine health maintenance examinations among adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients.
• To compare healthcare utilization patterns before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of electronic health record data from an AYA Medicine outpatient practice.
• Analysis of routine health maintenance examination rates stratified by gender.
• Statistical comparison using a two-proportion z-test.

Main Results:

• Routine health maintenance examinations declined for both males and females during the pandemic.
• Established male patients were statistically less likely (p < .01) to have a routine examination between December 2020 and December 2021 compared to females.
• This highlights a persistent gender gap in preventive care access.

Conclusions:

• Adolescent and young adult males face a higher risk of sustained disengagement from healthcare services.
• The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to re-engage AYA males in preventive care.
• Addressing these disparities is essential to mitigate future gender-based gaps in healthcare utilization.