Study Finds Parents Frequently Neglect Their Own Health While Caring for Kids

A recent study of 2,000 parents with children under 16 found that 75% regularly defer their own health needs to focus on their children, leading to serious health issues for many. Half of the respondents who sidelined their health ignored symptoms, while 33% postponed seeking medical help; other delays included cancelling appointments (24%), postponing screenings (20%) and deferring treatment (19%). Consequently, 71% said their conditions worsened.

Among working parents, 66% skipped sick days to preserve leave for future child illness, and 58% worked while ill. Dr Naveen Puri of Bupa UK Insurance highlighted the stress parents face and urged better access to rapid medical advice and shorter wait times. The survey also showed high levels of anxiety, with 63% feeling overwhelmed when a child is sick and 81% finding family illness stressful.