Where does a generation that grew up online go with health questions they’re too embarrassed to ask out loud? For Gen Z (those born between 1997 and 2012), the digital world is where this demographic turns for advice, on everything from the trivial to the life changing. With a few clicks, they can crowdsource firsthand experiences from a diverse group of people who’ve been in similar situations.
But just because an answer shows up fast does not necessarily mean it’s accurate, objective, or backed by authority, and this is especially critical when it comes to questions about health. What rises to the top is often the most popular response, not the most correct one. An online forum can pull from thousands of posts, and an answer generated by an AI chatbot can come across with absolute certainty. Neither one has the questioner’s medical history at hand or a license to practice medicine.
Getting a reliable answer to a health-related question requires a qualified medical provider, and yet this crucial step is the one that young adults are especially likely to delay taking. In a recent TelyRx survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adults, nearly half of Gen Z respondents said they had put off or avoided medical care. So what’s holding them back?
Stigma, Up Close
With rising healthcare costs, it would be easy to blame the lack of follow-through on the cost of a doctor’s visit. But healthcare avoidance is more nuanced than just budget constraints. TelyRx asked respondents what they’d do if the visit was completely free, and nearly a third of Gen Zers polled said they’d still hesitate to book the appointment. Their reason? Fear of judgment, embarrassment, or damage to their reputation — the very definition of stigma.
For young adults, stigma can take a lot of different forms. It can show up as embarrassment about the condition itself, or as fear that a medical provider will judge, dismiss, or lecture them about their lifestyle or the choices they make about their own bodies.
It can also just boil down to a matter of privacy. With so much of their lives lived online, the act of checking in with a receptionist or sitting in a clinic waiting room can feel deeply uncomfortable, nevermind waiting afterwards at a pharmacy to pick up their prescriptions. Some may also worry about their doctor’s visit showing up on a family insurance plan, or being seen in a pharmacy line, alerting others to things they’d rather keep private.
When stigma stops someone in their tracks, their health concerns don’t go away. In fact, the data shows that many people take matters into their own hands. Among those in our survey who put off care for stigma-related reasons, more than 4 in 10 attempted to fill the gap with an over-the-counter medicine, and nearly as many tried at-home remedies. One in 5 took it a step further, using leftover medication or a medication prescribed to someone else.
That last choice carries real risk. The FDA warns that medications used incorrectly can cause serious harm, and its guidance about this is stated plainly: “Don’t share medicines.” But for someone trying to escape embarrassment, that risk can feel like one worth taking.
Getting professional healthcare should never come at the cost of feeling judged, whether real or imagined. When we posed the idea of a more private option, such as having their medication delivered discreetly versus picking it up in person, 57% of Gen Z said they’d be more likely to seek treatment.
Private Doesn’t Have to Mean Alone
Technology like online telehealth care and digital pharmacy platforms eliminate the moments that leave a patient on display while keeping qualified experts tightly in the loop. TelyRx was built to help bridge the gap between seeing a doctor and discreet medication access.
A diagnosis with a healthcare professional is always paramount. No matter how you choose to receive this care — whether in person or online — TelyRx makes the medication access part easier.
Through TelyRx, a request for a new prescription or a refill starts online, from anywhere the patient happens to be. From there, an independent, licensed provider reviews each request alongside the patient’s medical profile and physical attestation for medication safety. If appropriate, the provider issues a new prescription, which is fulfilled by our in-house pharmacy team. The medication is then shipped in discreet packaging to your door.
Whether you are Gen Z or any other generation relying on social media, chatbots, and search engines for important news and life updates, TelyRx ensures that at least our part of your digital care experience features a true human touch. Every FDA-approved medication dispensed by our pharmacies is overseen by a licensed professional, and at no point in the process do we pass the buck to AI. Our team is trained to keep you safe. And if a question comes up afterward, a licensed pharmacist is a phone call away.
Through TelyRx, you can have both the discretion you’ve come to expect and licensed professionals on the other side of the screen.
