Cleveland Clinic “Coping with COVID” Survey Illustrates the Mental and Physical Toll the Pandemic is Taking on Men

A new national survey by Cleveland Clinic reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting both the mental and physical health of men and as a result, some men are negatively impacted while others are making healthier choices.

In an online survey among approximately 1,000 U.S. males 18 years or older, Cleveland Clinic found that 77 percent of men report their stress level has increased as a result of COVID-19, 59 percent of men have felt isolated during the pandemic and nearly half (45 percent) of men say their emotional/mental health has worsened during the pandemic.

The survey was issued as part of Cleveland Clinic’s fifth annual educational campaign, “MENtion It®,” which aims to address the fact that men often do not “MENtion” health issues or take steps to prevent them. This year, Cleveland Clinic set out to see what sort of effect the pandemic has had on men over the past six months and what their outlook is looking forward.

“We couldn’t take the temperature on the state of men’s health this year without focusing on the one thing that has affected every person in this country and beyond,” said Eric Klein, M.D., chairman of Cleveland Clinic’s Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute. “Many men are finding themselves in new and different roles as a result of this pandemic; for example, they are out of work or are working around the clock at home looking after kids with their partners all while worrying about their family’s health and their own health. It’s no surprise that mental health rose to the top as a critical issue in this year’s survey.”

Key survey findings:

• Men May Not MENtion It, but COVID-19 is Taking a Toll on Their Mental Health
  • Three-in-five men (59%) feel COVID-19 has had a greater negative impact on their mental health than the 2008 recession.
  • 66% of men say they rarely talk about the impact COVID-19 has had on their mental health.
• Many Men Struggle to Stay Healthy During the Pandemic
  • Half of men (48%) have put off seeing a doctor for non-COVID-19 related health issues over the last few months – this is even higher among men 18-34 (56%).
  • 40% of men say they are struggling to stay healthy during COVID-19.
  • A quarter (24%) of men report weight gain during the pandemic.
• While Some Are Struggling, COVID-19 Has Inspired Healthier Habits in Others
  • Nearly half of men (45%) feel healthier now than before the COVID-19 outbreak.
  • Roughly one-quarter of men have started sleeping more (28%), while a fifth have been exercising more (22%) and eating healthier (19%) since the COVID-19 outbreak.
  • A quarter (23%) have been spending more time with family/friends virtually, likely as a way of coping with social distancing.
• Men Could do More to Protect Themselves Against COVID-19
  • While the majority (70%) have been wearing face masks in public as a means of protection against COVID-19, nearly a third (30%) of men have not been.
  • Younger men 18 to 34 are less likely to avoid gathering in large groups to protect themselves against COVID-19 (51%), especially compared to older men 55 and up (67%).
• Most Men Are Optimistic About the Future Despite COVID-19
  • While 64% don’t see an end to the COVID-19 outbreak in sight, the majority (71%) still remain optimistic about the future as the world continues to battle COVID-19, suggesting the pandemic hasn’t dampened spirits completely.

“We want to remind men that their health shouldn’t take a back seat, especially during a pandemic,” said Dr. Klein. “If you’re experiencing symptoms that indicate a real health issue, don’t be afraid to come to the hospital or schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider, either virtually or in person. Your health is too important not to.”

Visit www.clevelandclinic.org/MENtionIt for more information about men’s health and important preventive steps every man can take.

Patient Stories

Young Dad Recognizes Symptoms, Wins Battle with Colorectal Cancer
Ben Simcox was just 28 years old when he underwent his first diagnostic colonoscopy in 2009. It was actually his sister’s idea. After experiencing some rectal bleeding, and subsequently being treated for colon polyps, Heather Finley insisted her brother, Ben, get screened for colorectal cancer. Ben was about 20 years younger than the recommended age most people undergo their first colonoscopy.

Street Artist With Brain Cancer Paints Picture of Hope With New Therapy
In September of 2019, Jon Sedor, a 32-year-old artist, began suffering from migraines. It wasn’t until he woke up, confused and disoriented, in the emergency room at a local hospital that Jon understood the magnitude of the problem. A CT scan revealed an enormous brain tumor. Jon was diagnosed with a form of a malignant brain cancer called glioblastoma. He relocated from St. Petersburg, Florida to Cleveland, Ohio, his hometown, for treatment at Cleveland Clinic. He underwent a craniotomy along with seven rounds of chemo and radiation treatments. Jon’s currently using a new therapy that delivers low-intensity electric current into his brain, to prevent the cancer cells from spreading.

Cleveland Clinic Doctor Becomes Patient For Lifesaving Heart Transplant

On June 6, Dr. Rick Wilson completed a 70-mile bike ride that left him feeling more exhausted than usual. One week later he suffered a massive heart attack. It damaged 75% of his heart – an event many people typically don’t survive. Despite ECMO and an implanted temporary mechanical assist device, Rick needed a new heart. Because his lungs and kidneys were beginning to fail, doctors had a very short window of opportunity to intervene. A heart transplant would be his only hope.

College Basketball Coach Rebounds from COVID-19, Continues Fight with Fatigue

One day Chris is coaching the biggest game of Cleveland State’s women’s basketball season – the next he’s fighting COVID-19. Three months later, Chris still battles extreme fatigue. He remains incredibly thankful to the team of nurses and caregivers who worked tirelessly to restore his physical and mental health.

Methodology

Results of an online survey conducted among a national probability sample consisting of a weighted total of 1,180 American males 18 years of age and older, living in the continental United States. The total sample data is nationally representative regarding age, ethnicity, household income and educational attainment. The online survey was conducted by YouGov and completed between July 31st- August 3rd, 2020. The margin of error (MOE) for the total sample at the 95% confidence level is +/- 2.91 percentage points.