National Survey From Ipsen Shows Young People Are Not Prepared for the Shift From Pediatric to Adult Healthcare

• Survey underscores the need for more resources, better preparation
• Ipsen's Healthcare-Shift.com offers a conversation guide, transition checklists and other free resources for teens and families

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--#adulting--Ipsen (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY), a global biopharmaceutical company, today announced the findings of a major new survey conducted by The Harris Poll showing broad consensus that young people are under-prepared for the move from pediatrics to the adult healthcare system and more resources are needed to support young adults.

The Healthcare Shift Survey found 71 percent of youth aged 14-26 find the adult healthcare system confusing, and two-thirds say they would have benefited from more preparation for the change to an adult primary care provider (66 percent). Healthcare providers (HCPs) agree: about nine in 10 primary care providers (PCPs) and pediatricians agree that the U.S. does not adequately prepare teens and young adults to navigate the adult healthcare system (89 percent PCPs, 93 percent pediatricians) and teens and young adults need more support preparing to navigate the adult healthcare system (93 percent PCPs, 97 percent pediatricians).

"Building the life skills you need as a young adult is hard work, which is why parents and educators focus on teaching teens practical skills like how to drive or use a bank account before they turn 18. This survey makes it clear that learning to navigate the healthcare system needs the same kind of focus,” said Michelle Werner, EVP and President of North America at Ipsen. “This is particularly critical for kids navigating chronic health conditions, where the risks of gaps in care are even higher. Just as we’ve helped raise awareness of rare diseases, Ipsen is committed to continuing to raise awareness and provide resources to help better prepare teens to take over their care when they shift out of pediatrics.”

Aging out of pediatrics can have real consequences for a young person’s health. Forty-three percent of youth who made the switch from pediatric to adult care experienced a time period without a primary care provider after leaving pediatric care. Twenty-eight percent had a health issue that went untreated, and 26 percent increased their use of the emergency room. Thirty percent said their health was worse after switching.

Healthcare Providers See Skill Gaps

The survey findings show straightforward preparation may be helpful. Eighty-two percent of youth surveyed say making appointments and meeting with HCPs can be intimidating and 46 percent say they often leave HCP visits confused by the terminology used. The HCPs surveyed agreed teens/young adults changing from pediatric to adult primary care have several skill deficits:

• Over-reliance on parents (cited by 67 percent of PCPs and 78 percent of pediatricians)
• Ability to accurately share their own medical history (cited by 57 percent of PCPs, 68 percent of pediatricians)
• How to ask providers questions (cited by 57 percent of PCPs, 55 percent of pediatricians)
• Understanding of health insurance basics (cited by 55 percent of PCPs, 66 percent of pediatricians)

“Moving from pediatric to adult healthcare requires knowledge and skills that should be built along the way, helping youth maximize their skills at each developmental level,” said Susan Shanske, Clinical Social Worker and Director, Transitional Care Support, BRIDGES Adult Transition Program. “In many cases, teens are navigating the practical challenges of the healthcare system alongside the emotional impact of leaving school, changing relationships and a desire for increased independence. The good news is that making it easier to learn the practical skills can help emerging adults build their confidence and protect their health.”

Stakes Are Higher for Teens with Chronic Conditions

Three in 10 youth surveyed reported they have been diagnosed with a chronic condition, making a seamless transition out of pediatric care even more critical. More than nine in 10 healthcare providers (91 percent of PCPs, 94 percent of pediatricians) agree handling the handoff from pediatrics to adult care is more important for youth with complex needs. Ninety-two percent of parents agree that youth with chronic conditions need extra support during the switch to ensure nothing is missed.

Pediatricians see teens with chronic conditions as particularly vulnerable: 91 percent say this age group has a harder time moving to adult care, and 96 percent note care gaps lead to poorer health outcomes for this population.

"As the mother of a child with a rare disease, I know first-hand the complexity of managing a serious, chronic health condition and the challenges of helping a teen build independence,” said Werner. “That’s why I’m proud Ipsen is committed to creating more awareness of this issue and ensuring families have resources they can use to make it easier for teens to build the skills they need."

Filling the Gaps

The vast majority of everyone surveyed – youth, parents and HCPs – agree more resources are needed.

• Eighty-one percent of youth and 84 percent of parents wish there were more resources to support young people who are navigating the change from pediatric to adult primary care
• Eighty-eight percent of pediatricians and 79 percent of PCPs agree there are not enough resources available to support teens/young adults during this shift
• Eighty-four percent of youth and 92 percent of parents say healthcare providers should approach care for teen and young adult patients differently, recognizing they may need a different level of support
• Nine in 10 parents and 83 percent of youth believe adult providers could make simple changes to better support young patients

Ipsen’s Healthcare-Shift.com includes a number of resources to help teens prepare to step into the primary role for managing their healthcare, such as:

• Young Adult Checklist: An online resource capturing many of the topics teens need to understand once they turn 18, including how to navigate paperwork, share a health history, find an HCP and understand the basics of U.S. health insurance
• Conversation Guide: A tool parents can use to cover many of the basics teens will need to know as they enter adult care
• Appointment Guide: A downloadable PDF for teens to prepare for an HCP visit designed to build confidence ahead of time

About the Healthcare Shift Survey

The Healthcare Shift Survey was conducted online in the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Ipsen among 1,514 “Youth” (Teens and Young Adults aged 14-26) and 1,502 “Parents” (Adults aged 18+ who are Parents to Teens and Young Adults aged 14-26). Both audiences were U.S. residents who saw (or whose child saw) either a Primary Care Provider (PCP) or Pediatrician. The survey was conducted January 30 through February 13, 2026. The HCP survey was conducted among 200 Primary Care Providers (PCPs) and 200 pediatricians. Both audiences were aged 18+, physicians (MDs or DOs) who practiced in the continental U.S., were duly licensed, had at least 25% of their patient population aged 14-26, and at least 15% of those patients managed a chronic condition. The survey was conducted January 29 through February 11, 2026.

About Ipsen

We are a global biopharmaceutical company with a focus on bringing transformative medicines to patients in three therapeutic areas: Oncology, Rare Disease and Neuroscience. Our pipeline is fueled by internal and external innovation and supported by nearly 100 years of development experience and global hubs in the U.S., France and the U.K. Our teams in more than 40 countries and our partnerships around the world enable us to bring medicines to patients in more than 100 countries.

Ipsen is listed in Paris (Euronext: IPN) and in the U.S. through a Sponsored Level I American Depositary Receipt program (ADR: IPSEY). For more information, visit ipsen.com.

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Ipsen Media Contact
Sally Bain
sally.bain@ipsen.com
+1 857 320 0517