Cited by 1,516COVID-19 and healthcare impactsCOVID-19 and Mental HealthVaccine Coverage and Hesitancy

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 8 of the 8 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 18 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.

Delay or avoidance of medical care because of COVID-19–related concerns—United States, June 2020.

Open access

Abstract

versus those without disabilities (aPR = 1.3). Given this widespread reporting of medical care avoidance because of COVID-19 concerns, especially among persons at increased risk for severe COVID-19, urgent efforts are warranted to ensure delivery of services that, if deferred, could result in patient harm. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, persons experiencing a medical emergency should seek and be provided care without delay (3).

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

In a nationwide web-based survey conducted June 24–30, 2020, 40.9% of U.S. adults reported delaying or avoiding medical care because of COVID-19 concerns, including 12.0% for urgent or emergency care and 31.5% for routine care. Avoidance was higher among unpaid caregivers for adults, persons with multiple underlying medical conditions, Black and Hispanic adults, young adults, and persons with disabilities.

Key findings

  • Overall, 40.9% of 4,975 respondents reported delaying or avoiding any medical care because of COVID-19 concerns; 12.0% avoided urgent or emergency care and 31.5% avoided routine care.
  • Adjusted prevalence ratios for urgent or emergency care avoidance were significantly higher among unpaid caregivers for adults versus noncaregivers (aPR = 2.9), persons with two or more selected underlying medical conditions versus none (aPR = 1.9), insured versus uninsured persons (aPR = 1.8), non-Hispanic Black adults (aPR = 1.6) and Hispanic adults (aPR = 1.5) versus non-Hispanic White adults, adults aged 18–24 versus 25–44 years (aPR = 1.5), and persons with disabilities versus without (aPR = 1.3).
  • Groups with urgent or emergency care avoidance exceeding 20% and any care avoidance exceeding 50% included adults aged 18–24 years (30.9%; 57.2%), unpaid caregivers for adults (29.8%; 64.3%), Hispanic adults (24.6%; 55.5%), persons with disabilities (22.8%; 60.3%), persons with two or more selected underlying medical conditions (22.7%; 54.7%), and students (22.7%; 50.3%).
  • In adjusted models for any care avoidance, unpaid caregiver status (aPR = 1.64), having health insurance (aPR = 1.61), disability (aPR = 1.33), believing oneself to be at high risk for severe COVID-19 (aPR = 1.33), and having two or more underlying conditions (aPR = 1.31) were significantly associated with greater avoidance.

Methods

  • A web-based survey was administered by Qualtrics, LLC, during June 24–30, 2020, to a nationwide sample of U.S. adults aged ≥18 years; 5,412 (54.7%) of 9,896 eligible adults completed surveys, and 4,975 (91.9%) provided complete data for this analysis.
  • Quota sampling and survey weighting were used to improve representativeness of the U.S. population by gender, age, and race/ethnicity.
  • Delay or avoidance was assessed for emergency, urgent, and routine medical care; urgent and emergency responses were combined for analysis. Multivariable Poisson regression models with robust standard errors estimated adjusted prevalence ratios, 95% CIs, and p-values (α = 0.05).

Limitations

  • Stated in the paper: self-reported data are subject to recall, response, and social desirability biases; the survey did not assess reasons for avoidance, baseline care-seeking patterns, or timing/duration of avoidance; perceptions of whether a condition was life-threatening might vary; and the web-based survey might not be fully representative for income, educational attainment, and access to technology.
  • Evident from the text: the cross-sectional design cannot establish temporality or causality between COVID-19 concerns and care delay/avoidance.
  • Evident from the text: urgent and emergency care responses were combined because respondents might interpret “life-threatening” differently, limiting separate estimates for emergency versus urgent care.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.15585/mmwr.mm6936a4

Cites

8 of 8 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Figures

FIGURE Adjusted prevalence ratios*,† for characteristics§,¶,**,†† associated with delay or avoidance of urgent or emergency medical care because of concerns related to COVID-19 — United States, June 30, 2020 Abbreviation: COVID-19 = coronavirus disease 2019. * Comparisons within subgroups were evaluated using Poisson regressions used to calculate a prevalence ratio adjusted for all characteristics shown in figure. † 95% confidence intervals indicated with error bars. § “Other” race includes American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, or Other. ¶ Selected underlying medical conditions known to increase the risk for severe COVID-19 were obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and any type of cancer. Obesity is defined as body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 and was calculated from self-reported height and weight (https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/index.html). The remaining conditions were assessed using the question “Have you ever been diagnosed with any of the following conditions?” with response options of 1) “Never”; 2) “Yes, I have in the past, but don’t have it now”; 3) “Yes I have, but I do not regularly take medications or receive treatment”; and 4) “Yes I have, and I am regularly taking medications or receiving treatment.” Respondents who answered that they have been diagnosed and chose either response 3 or 4 were considered as having the specified medical condition. ** Essential worker status was self-reported. For the adjusted prevalence ratios, essential workers were compared with all other respondents (including those who were nonessential workers, retired, unemployed, and students). †† Unpaid caregiver status was self-reported. Unpaid caregivers for adults were defined as having provided unpaid care to a relative or friend aged ≥18 years to help them take care of themselves at any time in the last 3 months.
FIGURE Adjusted prevalence ratios*,† for characteristics§,¶,**,†† associated with delay or avoidance of urgent or emergency medical care because of concerns related to COVID-19 — United States, June 30, 2020 Abbreviation: COVID-19 = coronavirus disease 2019. * Comparisons within subgroups were evaluated using Poisson regressions used to calculate a prevalence ratio adjusted for all characteristics shown in figure. † 95% confidence intervals indicated with error bars. § “Other” race includes American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, or Other. ¶ Selected underlying medical conditions known to increase the risk for severe COVID-19 were obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and any type of cancer. Obesity is defined as body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 and was calculated from self-reported height and weight (https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/index.html). The remaining conditions were assessed using the question “Have you ever been diagnosed with any of the following conditions?” with response options of 1) “Never”; 2) “Yes, I have in the past, but don’t have it now”; 3) “Yes I have, but I do not regularly take medications or receive treatment”; and 4) “Yes I have, and I am regularly taking medications or receiving treatment.” Respondents who answered that they have been diagnosed and chose either response 3 or 4 were considered as having the specified medical condition. ** Essential worker status was self-reported. For the adjusted prevalence ratios, essential workers were compared with all other respondents (including those who were nonessential workers, retired, unemployed, and students). †† Unpaid caregiver status was self-reported. Unpaid caregivers for adults were defined as having provided unpaid care to a relative or friend aged ≥18 years to help them take care of themselves at any time in the last 3 months.CC BY · PubMed Central

Verification

Claims the paper makes

28 Own result · 11 Not checked yet · 11 Own method · 7 Own interpretation · 3 No basis given

Verify all 18 references — free account

Show all 37 claims

  • It may state two separate claims as one. 8
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 18
23 of 23
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The weighted survey sample is representative of the U.S. adult population.

    “a nationwide representative sample of U.S. adults aged ≥18 years”
    “Quota sampling and survey weighting¶¶ were employed to improve cohort representativeness of the U.S. population by gender, age, and race/ethnicity.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Respondents' self-reported delay or avoidance of medical care accurately reflects their actual medical care behavior.

    ““Have you delayed or avoided medical care due to concerns related to COVID-19?””
    “40.9% reported having delayed or avoided any medical care”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Respondents correctly attribute their delay or avoidance to COVID-19 concerns.

    “because of concerns about COVID-19”
    ““Have you delayed or avoided medical care due to concerns related to COVID-19?””
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Selected underlying medical conditions (obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and any type of cancer) increase the risk for severe COVID-19.

    “Selected underlying medical conditions known to increase the risk for severe COVID-19 included in this analysis were obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and any type of cancer.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Survey respondents who completed the survey are not systematically different from eligible nonrespondents in ways that affect the prevalence estimates.

    “a total of 5,412 (54.7%) of 9,896 eligible adults¶ completed web-based COVID-19 Outbreak Public Evaluation Initiative surveys”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Delayed or avoided medical care can increase morbidity and mortality associated with both chronic and acute health conditions.

    “Delayed or avoided medical care might increase morbidity and mortality associated with both chronic and acute health conditions.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Health care facilities are implementing important safety precautions to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among patients and personnel.

    “However, health care facilities are implementing important safety precautions to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among patients and personnel.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Persons with underlying medical conditions that increase their risk for severe COVID-19 are more likely to require care to monitor and treat these conditions.

    “Persons with underlying medical conditions that increase their risk for severe COVID-19 (6) are more likely to require care to monitor and treat these conditions, potentially contributing to their more frequent report of avoidance.”
8 of 8

Citations

Cites

Show all 7 references

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Items 501–600 of 1,000

Metadata

Authors
Czeisler, M. É., Marynak, K., Clarke, K. E. N., Salah, Z., Shakya, I., Thierry, J. M., Ali, N., McMillan, H., Wiley, J. F., Weaver, M. D., Czeisler, C. A., Rajaratnam, S. M. W., & Howard, M. E.
Affiliations
Brigham and Women's Hospital (US)
Corresponding author
Czeisler, Mark É.
Venue
MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
Published
2020-09-11
Volume
69
Issue
36
Pages
1250-1257
ISSN
  • 0149-2195 (ISSN-L)
  • 1545-861X
OpenAlex
W3081553985
Cited by
1,516
References
7
Citations by year
2026: 95 · 2025: 133 · 2024: 209 · 2023: 346 · 2022: 402 · 2021: 304 · 2020: 24
FWCI
97.16
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Monash University Research Portal (Monash University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Minerva Access (University of Melbourne) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
  • US-UK Fulbright Commission
  • Fulbright Australia
  • Monash University
  • Kinghorn Foundation
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Office of Rural Health
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › COVID-19 and healthcare impacts
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
  • Social Sciences › Health › Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
Keywords
COVID-19 pandemic, delayed care, health care utilization, severe COVID-19 risk, disability, emergency care, pandemic impact on healthcare
MeSH terms
COVID-19, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Pneumonia, Viral, United States, Treatment Refusal, Coronavirus Infections, Young Adult, Pandemics, Time-to-Treatment

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

A language model drew the claims from the paper on 2026-10-08, under version 3 of the claim definition (model deepseek-v4.1-flash, prompt extract-v3).

A second model labelled each claim on 2026-10-08 (model jev-1.13-20260917, definition revision gold-guideline-v0.2).

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review