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National Men's Health Week
COMPLETE SURVEY WITH METHODOLOGY

SURVEY OVERVIEW

    Since 1995, the editors at Men’s Health have conducted a nationwide survey to examine male health behaviors, habits, and attitudes.

    Once again this year, we explored the differences in attitudes and behaviors of various generations and genders. We believe that as our nation ages, and these differences become more pronounced, the nation will be forced to make significant changes in how we approach health. Exactly what steps we take will have an enormous impact on our society.

Men are no more or less likely than women to say they’re in good health or that they’re now more likely to treat themselves. Generation does play a role in self-care, however. Generation X and Boomers are more likely to say they’re now taking care of themselves, while Matures still opt for the doctor first.

Nineteen percent of all adults say they’re in excellent health, and an additional 39% rate their health as very good.
    - People living in households with incomes of $35,000 or more are more likely to
      say their health is very good to excellent (66% vs. 47%).

Forty percent of all adults say that compared to 12 months ago, they are now more likely to treat themselves for common health problems before going to the doctor.
    - X’ers (50%) and Boomers (41%) are more likely than Matures (26%) to opt for
     treating themselves first.

    - Residents of Western states are more likely than those living in the rest of the country
    to practice self-care as a first option (47% vs. 38%).

Only 75 percent of the nation’s adults would go to the doctor if they experienced chest pain, and fully one in every five (20%) would wait a day or two first.

    - Men are less likely then women to go to the doctor at all for chest pain (66% vs. 83%).

Only 70 percent say they would go to the doctor if they experienced another sure sign of heart trouble, shortness of breath. Worse, more than one in four (28%) say they would wait a day or two before going.

    - Men are less likely than women to say they would go to the doctor at all for shortness of breath (63% vs. 77%).

Eighty-two percent of all adults would go to the doctor if they experienced blurred vision, but 37% would wait a day or two first.

    - Men are less likely than women to say they’d go to the doctor for this reason
(78% vs. 86%).

Seventy-six percent would go to the doctor for a serious cut or burn, and fortunately, only 16 percent would wait a day or two first.

Even when it comes down to something as central to a man’s identity as erectile dysfunction, fully 27 percent of men would not go to the doctor , and fully 44 percent would wait a day or two first.

Most Americans simply aren’t taking the necessary steps to detect serious illness. Only half the nation’s adults have an annual eye exam, and only about two in five had their cholesterol checked in last 12 months. More importantly, the nation’s adults are not getting screened for serious diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Here again, men are less likely than women to take steps toward early detection of disease, including high cholesterol, cancer or diabetes

Medical Tests and Examinations Taken In The Past Twelve Months

Results from the 1999 Men’s Health Week Survey suggest that approximately 4.7 million American men have suffered symptoms that made them think they may have needed the drug Viagra in the past six months, and that approximately 1.9 million men have used Viagra during this time.

Five percent of all men experienced a symptom in the last six months that made them think they might need Viagra.

Two percent of all men have used Viagra at some time during the past six months – that’s 1,742,226 guys that could use a little more than just a helping hand.

Twenty-six percent of all men would wait a month or more before talking with a doctor about Viagra, even if they had experienced symptoms. An additional 11 percent say they would never go.

    - Boomers (32%) are more likely than X’ers (25%) or Matures (21%) to wait.

    - X’ers (22%) are more likely than Boomers (11%) or Matures (17%) to go within
       the first day or two.

Amount of Time Men Would Wait Before Seeing
The Doctor If They Thought They Needed Viagra

Men are less likely than women to believe in the healing power of food, although even for them, the majority believe healthy eating reduces health risks. Education also plays a role. People with a college education are more likely than others to think it’s very likely that foods naturally contain substances that fight disease.

A total of 83 percent of all adults think healthy eating reduces the risk of disease either greatly (54%) or somewhat (29%).

    - Fifty-eight percent of women think healthy eating reduces risk greatly, compared to 49
       percent of men.

A total of 87 percent of all adults think it’s very (47%) or somewhat (40%) likely that foods naturally contain substances that prevent disease.
    - Fifty-four percent of people with at least some college education think some foods prevent disease,                 compared to 38 percent with a high school education or less.

Forty percent of all adults say it’s their desire to ensure good health.
    - Women are more likely than men to say this affects their purchases a great deal (46% vs. 33%).

Thirty-three percent of adults say it’s a desire to reduce the amount of fat in their diet.
    - Women are more likely than men to say this (38% vs. 27%)

Twenty-eight percent say it’s a desire to reduce cholesterol intake.
    - Women are more likely than men to say this (33% vs. 23%)

Twenty-seven percent say it’s the desire to reduce the risk of a specific health problem.
    - Women are more likely than men to say this (30% vs. 24%)

Twenty percent say it’s the need to manage or treat an existing health problem.
   - Women are more likely than men to say this (22% vs. 17%).

Factors Greatly Affecting Purchases
In The Grocery Store