Shocking discovery about the health of Generation Z compared to previous generations

They’re often referred to as the health-conscious generation, but new data suggests Gen Z is a little less enthusiastic about maintaining their health.

A national questionnaire Research from the Cleveland Clinic found that American men between the ages of 18 and 43 are about half as likely to have annual medical checkups, vape more often, and seek help for mental health conditions more often than older generations.

Part of this is simply that younger people are less concerned about their health. Younger people are also more likely to seek medical help on TikTok and through Google searches than by talking to a GP.

But this comes at a time when cancer, including colorectal cancer, is increasing at a record pace among young people, making it more important than ever to have a doctor who can detect the disease and monitor a patient’s risk factors.

The Cleveland Clinic surveyed about 1,000 adult men as part of an educational campaign to encourage them to be more proactive about their health.

The men who participated in the study were interviewed about their health practices between June 12 and 25 of this year.

Nearly two in five Generation Z men (born between 1997 and 2005) do not have PCP.

Some respondents even admitted that they had never had their blood pressure measured, their cholesterol measured or their BMI checked.

At the same time, the vast majority of men across all age groups (87 percent) were concerned about how their current health habits might affect their overall health in the future.

Dr Petar Bajic, director of the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Men’s Health, said: ‘The survey found that men worry about the impact the decisions they make now will have on their health in the future.

‘In addition to sexual health problems, it is very important to monitor important indicators in men, such as blood pressure and cholesterol. We know that these can often point to a deeper health problem.’

Women are generally more proactive about their health than men. They are also more likely to have health insurance and a regular source of health care. A major study conducted by the Commonwealth Fund found that three times as many men as women had not visited a doctor in the past year.

While 61 percent of Gen Xers and Baby Boomers say they get a medical checkup annually, only 32 percent of Millennials and Gen Zers said the same.

It is recommended that you have an annual physical exam to maintain overall health and detect potential problems early. They are essential for preventive care and help doctors identify trends in a person’s health that may indicate disease.

The physical examination usually includes vital signs, such as blood pressure and respiratory rate. It also includes a physical examination of the head and neck, heart and lungs, abdomen, skin, and nervous system (this involves hammering on the knee to elicit a reflex).

Despite the discrepancies, three-quarters of all men in the study feared getting cancer at some point in their lives. At the same time, screening rates for cancer, particularly colorectal and prostate cancer, have fallen.

Older men are less likely to smoke or vape. Vaping has become particularly popular among young adults, while the number of cigarette smokers has declined over the past decade.

The only metric where younger men were more proactive than older men was regarding mental health care. Older men were slightly less likely to seek help for mental disorders

The American Cancer Society reported last year that nearly 700,000 American men have not been screened for prostate cancer. Between 32,000 and 35,000 men die from the disease each year.

And colorectal cancer screening, now recommended starting at age 45, is still lower than what doctors would hope to see. Fewer than 20 percent of people ages 45 to 49 were up to date on recommended screenings, such as colonoscopy and blood tests, in 2021.

Meanwhile, about 40 percent of men aged 50 to 75 have, according to tracking by the CDC.

Millennials and Gen Zers were also more likely to vape or smoke. Only 43 percent of younger adults said they avoided both, compared to 60 percent of older men.

Older men tend to smoke more often than younger adults, ages 18 to 24, who are more likely to vape. About five percent of 18-24 year-olds and 13 percent of 25-44 year-olds smoke cigarettes, compared to 15 percent of 45-64 year-olds and eight percent of seniors over 65.

The only health measure where younger men scored best was mental health care.

Millennials and Gen Zers were more likely than Boomers to seek help for mental health issues. While just over half of older Gen Xers and Boomers said they sought professional help, nearly 60 percent of Millennials and Gen Zers said the same.

Researchers did not provide an explanation for why younger men are more likely to seek help. They did note that the decline in stigma surrounding mental illness among young adults and teens could lead to more people seeking the help they need.

The survey also asked men where they go for health information. Only five percent of Boomers said they turn to social media, compared to 33 percent of Gen Z men.

Many men will search online for answers to their health questions before consulting a doctor. In fact, most men would rather do other things, including household chores, than go to the doctor.