New survey reveals New York ranks highest nationwide for urgent care visits

New York residents are more likely to visit urgent care than the average American, according to new findings from the 2025 Urgent Care Pulse Check Survey commissioned by Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care and conducted by Wakefield Research. With fast-paced lifestyles, long waits for primary care appointments, and rising demand for convenient care, New Yorkers are turning to urgent care at nation-leading rates—and doing so earlier and more proactively than residents anywhere else in the U.S.

As New Yorkers continue to juggle demanding schedules and evolving health needs, hospital-affiliated urgent care centers like Northwell Health-GoHealth are uniquely positioned to deliver reliable, on-demand care across the city and beyond.

The survey found that 81% of New York residents report that one or more people in their family visited an urgent care center in the past year, far exceeding the national average of 66%. More than one in four (26%) reported visiting urgent care in the past month alone, underscoring the essential role urgent care plays in keeping New Yorkers moving and healthy.

Inside New Yorkers’ care choices

New York residents are not only using urgent care more frequently—they are seeking care earlier (63% at the first sign of illness compared to 49% nationally) and placing a premium on access and quality. 63% of New Yorkers say they are more likely to choose a hospital-affiliated urgent care, citing confidence in provider quality (57% vs. 41% nationally).

With less time to schedule appointments, higher out-of-pocket costs, and greater need for care that fits their lives, New Yorkers are shifting toward urgent care for faster, more convenient access to care when and where they need it.

● 70% have delayed seeking medical care due to cost concerns and other contributing factors

● 31% report having less time to schedule or track appointments

● 37% say their families need more frequent care for non-life-threatening conditions, nearly double the national rate

When choosing urgent care, New Yorkers cite three primary reasons:

1. Ability to be seen quickly (57%)

2. Convenient location (56%)

3. High-quality care (54%), significantly higher than the national average (39%)

How New York lifestyles influence healthcare needs

The survey also reveals how New York’s distinctive lifestyles influence healthcare needs.

● Foodie Culture: With 42% identifying as culinary explorers, 21% of New Yorkers report their family deals with stomach issues at least once a year.

● Competitive Spirit: With a third of New Yorkers playing sports (34% vs. 20% nationally), 16% of families reported sports injuries.

● Outdoor Living: With higher rates of exercise and time at the beach, 19% of New Yorkers report incidences of rashes and sunburns and 36% report seasonal allergies.

Together, the findings highlight why urgent care has become a cornerstone of healthcare access in New York — meeting residents where they are with speed, convenience, and trusted, high-quality care.

Data Source & Methods: The Urgent Care Pulse Check Survey was commissioned by Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care and conducted by Wakefield Research among 2,000 nationally representative U.S. adults and 100 interviews in the New York DMA, between August 29th and September 8th, 2025, using an email invitation and an online survey. The data has been weighted. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. For the interviews conducted in this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 2.2 percentage points for the national sample, and 9.8 percentage points for the New York DMA, from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.

The urgent care pulse check survey – New York report