Survey on young people's health habits

A survey conducted in September 2026 by OpinionWay for Pfizer asked 811 young people aged 18 to 24 about their health habits, including how they schedule medical appointments, seek information, and approach vaccination. The findings reveal a mix of independent actions and continued reliance on family members for health-related decisions.

Self-scheduling of medical appointments

More than half of the young people surveyed, 55%, said they most often schedule their own medical appointments. This percentage increases with age, from 45% among those aged 18-20 to 62% among those aged 21-24. Meanwhile, 23% still rely on parents, and 12% on other close relatives for scheduling.

Triggers for medical consultations

The majority of young people, 63%, consult a healthcare provider primarily when they experience symptoms or in an emergency. Only 19% regularly schedule check-ups as part of routine follow-up, and 15% rarely or never see a doctor. This suggests that health concerns are often reactive rather than proactive.

Pharmacies as a key health contact

Pharmacies play a significant role in the health lives of young adults. Eighty-two percent of respondents reported visiting a pharmacy in the past year, more than those who saw a general practitioner (74%) or a specialist (59%). This indicates that pharmacies are a common point of access for health-related needs.

Preventive health practices

Fifty-seven percent of young people had a preventive examination in the past year, such as for vision, hearing, or dental health. Thirty-four percent underwent testing for sexually transmitted infections. While most health visits are prompted by symptoms, preventive care is still a notable part of their routine.

Preferred sources of health information

When dealing with a specific health issue, 23% of young people turn to their primary care physician first, more than parents (20%) or other healthcare professionals (13%). For general health questions, the primary care physician, parents, and the Internet are equally preferred by 16% each, with artificial intelligence close behind at 15%.

Vaccination awareness and actions

Although only 59% of young people have engaged in at least one vaccination-related action—such as discussing vaccines with a healthcare provider or getting vaccinated—most claim to know where to find their vaccination records. However, 55% admit they have never really thought about vaccines, highlighting a gap between knowledge and personal engagement.

Awareness versus personal connection to diseases

While young people generally have awareness of diseases like sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and meningococcal meningitis, few feel personally affected by them. For example, 82% know about STIs, but only 27% feel they are personally at risk. Similar gaps exist for HPV and meningococcal meningitis, where awareness is high but personal concern is low.

Understanding of meningococcal meningitis

Despite the majority being aware of meningococcal meningitis, only 53% say they are familiar with it, and just 14% feel personally affected. Nearly half of the respondents either haven't heard of the disease or only know its name. However, 82% still recognize that healthy young people can contract it, and 76% understand that the bacteria can be carried without causing illness.