A new national survey by Cleveland Clinic revealed similarities and differences between generations when it comes to men’s health.
The survey results highlight men’s health priorities and concerns. However, generational differences were revealed in physical and mental health habits, and in the use of social media as a source of health care information.
Although 95% of men surveyed say that having a healthy lifestyle is their priority, the results show that there are different health-related behaviors between different generations.
The survey included members of Generation Z (born 1997-2005); millennials (born 1981-1996); Generation Xers (born 1965-1980) and boomers (born before 1965). Here are some trends among men observed in the study:
- Get an annual physical: (61% among Gen Xers and boomers vs. 32% among millennials and Gen Zers)
- Avoid smoking or vaping: (60% in Gen X and boomers vs. 43% in millennials and Gen Z)
- They deal with mental health: (53% Gen X and boomers vs. 59% Millennials and Gen Z)
- Nearly two in five Gen Z men do not have a primary care provider on file. Because of this, many Gen Z men say they have never had their blood pressure, cholesterol or body mass index (BMI) measured or are unsure if they have ever had it measured.
The survey, conducted earlier this year among a national sample of 1,000 American men aged 18 and older, was released as part of Cleveland Clinic’s ninth annual educational campaign, MENtion It®. The study aims to address the fact that men often fail to communicate their health problems or take steps to prevent them.
“We saw in the survey that men are concerned about how the health decisions they make now will affect them in the future,” said Petar Bajic, MD, director of the Center for Men’s Health at Cleveland Clinic. “Health risks associated with age and family history make a relationship with a primary care provider essential, even for younger men.”
“It is crucial to monitor key indicators in men, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and sexual health concerns, because we know that these factors can often indicate more serious underlying health conditions.”
The results also reveal that most men fear getting cancer (74%), but rates of screening and cancer awareness remain low. One-third of boomers and Gen Xers who are eligible for colorectal cancer screening have not received, or are not sure if they have received, a screening test. Similarly, one-quarter of men at average risk for prostate cancer (over age 50) have not received, or are not sure if they have received, a cancer screening test.
The survey also asked men where they get information about their health. While all generations agreed that health care providers are the primary source of health information and advice, use of other sources varied by age. For example, Gen Z men were most likely to get advice from social media (33%), compared to just 5% of boomers.
Visit www.clevelandclinic.org/MENtionI for more information about this year’s survey.
The methodology
The following document presents key results from an online survey conducted among a national group of 1,000 American men, 18 years of age or older, living in the continental United States. The study was completed between June 12 and June 25, 2024, in collaboration with market research firm Savanta.
The total sample of men surveyed was nationally representative based on age, region, urban/rural area, ethnicity, race, income, and educational attainment data, according to the census. The margin of error for the total sample at the 95% confidence level is 2.6 percentage points.
Additionally, additional samples were collected for adults from Generation Z (birth years, or DNA, from 1997-2005), for a total of n=350; Millennials (DNA: 1981-1996), for a total of n=350; Generation X (DNA: 1965-1980), for a total of n=350; and Boomers (DNA: pre-1964), for a total of n=350. The cited data on generational segments are based on an oversample and are not nationally representative.
About Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit, multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing exceptional patient care based on the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical advances, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and around the world for its expertise and care.
Cleveland Clinic’s 77,000 employees worldwide include more than 5,658 salaried physicians and researchers, and 19,000 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties.
Cleveland Clinic is a 6,699-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, more than 275 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; southeast Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; and London, England. In 2022, there were 12.8 million outpatient encounters, 303,000 inpatient admissions and observations, and 270,000 surgeries and procedures across the Cleveland Clinic health system.
Patients came for treatment from every state and 185 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at twitter.com/ClevelandClinic. News and resources are available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
