OHIO — A new survey from the Cleveland Clinic shows men's health is treated a bit differently between generations. 

What You Need To Know

  • The survey was taken earlier this year and sampled 1,000 men who were 18 years and older through the Cleveland Clinic's ninth annual educational campaign, MENtion It, which aims to encourage men to focus on their health

  • Results of the survey showed overall, 95% of men said living a healthy lifestyle is their top priority, but there are different behaviors among the generations

  • The survey covered how many men get screened for certain cancers if they are eligible, who have established a primary care provider and how often men address mental health issues and get a yearly physical

The survey was taken earlier this year and sampled 1,000 men 18 years and older through the Cleveland Clinic’s ninth annual educational campaign, MENtion It, which aims to encourage men to focus on their health.

Results of the survey showed overall, 95% of men said living a healthy lifestyle is their top priority, but there are different behaviors among the generations. The poll surveyed members of the four generations: Gen Z (1997-2005), Millennials (1981-1996), Gen X (1965-1980) and Boomers+ (born before 1965).

Of Gen Z men, two out of five of them said they’ve don’t have a primary care provider, and many said they either never or are not sure if they ever had their blood pressure, cholesterol or weight checked. 

Additionally, 74% of men in the survey expressed they feared getting cancer, but the rates of screenings and cancer awareness remain low, the Cleveland Clinic said. One-third of Gen X and Boomers who are able to get a colon cancer screening said they’ve never been screened or don’t think they have. Additionally, 25% of men who have an average risk of prostate cancer, which is 50 years old and older, haven’t been screened. 

“We saw in the survey that men are concerned with how the health decisions they make now will affect them in the future,” said Dr. Petar Bajic, director of the Center for Men’s Health at Cleveland Clinic, in a statement. “Health risks related to age and family history make the relationship with a primary care provider essential, even for younger men.”

Other findings from the survey include:

 

  • Men who get a yearly physical: (61% Gen X and Boomers+ vs. 32% Millennials and Gen Z men
  • Those who avoid smoking and vaping: 60% Gen X and Boomers+ vs. 43% Millennials and Gen Z men
  • Men who address mental health issues: 53% Gen X and Boomers+ 59% Millennials and Gen Z men

 

The survey also asked participants where they go for health information. All generations agreed that going to health care providers is the best source, however, other sources were dependent on the generation. For example, Gen Z men are likely to turn to social media (33%) compared to Boomers+ (5%). 

More details on the survey can be found here.