Why Millennial Men Skip Primary Care — And Why It Matters

Millennials, especially men, are shifting away from traditional primary care in favor of walk-in clinics, urgent care centers, and telemedicine. Motivated by convenience, cost transparency, and digital access, many no longer seek ongoing relationships with doctors. A national poll found 45% of adults aged 18–29 don’t have a regular physician. For healthy young men, this may seem harmless. But experts warn that the lack of coordinated, continuous care can delay the diagnosis of serious health issues—like male urinary incontinence, which may signal underlying neurological or urological conditions.

Frequenting multiple urgent care clinics without follow-up can lead to misdiagnoses or unnecessary antibiotics. Men with emerging bladder issues—such as post-void dribbling, urgency, or night-time urination—may ignore early signs without a trusted physician to consult. Although urgent care is fast, it lacks holistic management, specialist referrals, or prevention plans. Doctors stress that even healthy males need someone familiar with their baseline health to detect problems early. As Dr. Munger notes, “Regardless of how healthy you are, you need someone who knows you.” For men, especially those experiencing subtle changes in urinary health, establishing a primary care relationship can lead to earlier detection, better outcomes, and less fragmented care.

Boodman, S. G. (2018, October 9). Spurred by convenience, millennials often spurn the ‘family doctor’ model. KFF Health News. https://kffhealthnews.org/news/spurred-by-convenience-millennials-often-spurn-the-family-doctor-model/ kffhealthnews.org+3