Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Age-related bias in healthcare is usually discussed in relation to elderly patients, yet younger adults, especially those with chronic or rare disease, may also experience age-based assumptions that affect symptom recognition and care. This study aimed to characterize online discussions of perceived age-related barriers to healthcare among young and middle-aged adults.
METHODS: Social media posts identified on social networking sites and patient forums between 25 February and 22 April 2026 were extracted and thematically analysed. In accordance with Protocol for Social Media Listening Online (POMELO) standards and site-specific privacy policies, only publicly available social media data were extracted.
RESULTS: Ninety-five posts from 93 unique contributors were extracted. Contributors included patients, caregivers, advocates, and family/friends. All described experiences in which patients were perceived as “too young” for their conditions. Conditions described included endometriosis (18, 19.4%), cancers (15, 16.1%), orthopaedic conditions (10, 10.8%), and gallbladder disease (7, 7.5%). Across disease areas, age-related bias during diagnosis or preventative screening was described by 49/93 (52.7%) contributors, with assumptions of youth or apparent good health influencing symptom dismissal and delayed, missed, or incorrect diagnosis. Forty-five (48.4%) contributors reported treatment barriers, including surgical interventions being denied for orthopaedic conditions, endometriosis, and gallbladder disease (as patients were considered too young for invasive procedures), and delayed (to reduce the likelihood of revision surgery). Thirty-two (34.4%) contributors detailed long-term emotional, psychological, and physical consequences associated with delayed diagnosis and treatment. Contributors linked deferrals of diagnostic testing or treatment to worsening symptoms and prolonged physical harm; this resulted in reduced trust in healthcare providers and increased need for self-advocacy.
CONCLUSIONS: Online discussions indicate that age-based assumptions influence clinical decision-making in both diagnosis and treatment, contributing to delays in care and adverse outcomes in patients. These findings underscore the need for earlier recognition and intervention among individuals perceived as “too young” for their conditions.