Some people prefer not to view or receive medical information because of a complex interplay of psychological, emotional, and cognitive factors that influence how they process health-related messages. This behavior, often called health information avoidance, is driven by a desire to reduce anxiety, manage uncertainty, and maintain emotional well-being when faced with potentially distressing or conflicting medical information.
One key reason for avoiding medical information is the emotional discomfort it can provoke. When people encounter health information, especially about serious or uncertain conditions, it can trigger negative emotions such as fear, anxiety, or distress. These affective responses serve as a quick way for the brain to navigate complex and uncertain environments, often motivating avoidance as a coping mechanism to protect oneself from emotional overload or distressing thoughts[1]. For example, individuals with anxiety may focus on immediate emotional relief rather than long-term benefits of knowing medical facts, leading them to avoid information that might increase their worry or fear[6].
Another important factor is the perception of control. When people feel they have low control over their health outcomes or the medical information they receive, they are more likely to avoid that information. Studies show that conflicting or ambiguous health evidence increases avoidance, especially when individuals perceive little control over the situation. This ambiguity aversion means that when medical information is unclear or contradictory, people may prefer to avoid it altogether to reduce confusion and stress[2]. Conversely, those with higher perceived control are more willing to engage with health information, even if it is complex or challenging.
Cognitive overload also plays a role. The sheer volume and complexity of medical information can overwhelm individuals, leading to information overload. When people feel bombarded by too much data or technical jargon, they may choose to avoid medical information to prevent feeling overwhelmed or confused[3]. This is compounded by channel beliefs—how trustworthy or accessible people perceive the source of information to be—which can influence their willingness to engage or avoid.
Health literacy, or the ability to understand and use health information, is another critical factor. People with lower health literacy may find medical information difficult to comprehend, which can increase anxiety and avoidance behaviors. Improving health literacy has been shown to reduce anxiety and promote better engagement with health information, suggesting that avoidance is partly a response to feeling ill-equipped to process complex medical data[5].
Experiential avoidance, a psychological tendency to avoid unpleasant internal experiences such as anxiety or distress, also contributes to medical information avoidance. This avoidance can be linked to anxiety disorders and is associated with a reduced ability to cope with negative emotions related to health concerns. Physical exercise has been found to moderate this relationship by reducing anxiety, which may help decrease avoidance behaviors[4].
Finally, the intention to avoid health information and the actual behavior of avoidance are not always aligned. While some people consciously decide to avoid medical information, others may do so habitually or unconsciously, driven by affective responses or ingrained habits rather than deliberate choice[1]. Moreover, neither seeking nor avoiding health information necessarily reduces negative emotions; in some cases, both behaviors can exacerbate emotional distress, creating a challenging cycle for individuals managing health concerns[7].
In summary, the preference to avoid viewing medical information arises from emotional protection, perceived lack of control, cognitive overload, low health literacy, and psychological avoidance tendencies. These factors interact in complex ways, influencing how individuals respond to health information and highlighting the importance of tailored communication strategies that consider emotional and cognitive needs.
Sources:
[1] Predicting Health Information Avoidance Intentions and Behaviors, Tandfonline, 2025
[2] How evidence conflict affects willingness to avoid health information, Frontiers in Communication, 2025
[3] Understanding the factors influencing health information avoidance, Sage Journals, 2025
[4] Physical exercise moderated the mediating role of anxiety between experiential avoidance and BrainRot, Nature, 2025
[5] Health Literacy Suppresses the Negative Association Between ICTs and Mental Health, PMC, 2025
[6] Researchers found a specific glitch in how anxious people weigh the future, PsyPost, 2025
[7] The Reciprocity of Discrete Emotions and Health Information Avoidance, Sage Journals, 2025
