The internet is full of information on health-related subjects in the United States. However, very little of this information expresses men's direct opinions on physical, mental, and sexual health in their own lives.
Even though there are more and more research papers and books about health, the views of the average American man on health issues that affect their lives are not given enough air time. The general assumption for this is that men rarely bother with their health, and when they do, they don't openly discuss it.
With International Men's Day around the corner, the State of Men’s Health report sheds light on where men stand as far as physical, sexual, and mental health are concerned in the United States.
For this, Health Canal and Storible Agency partnered together to survey 1,121 nationally representative US men about their health in 2022. Here are the results.
Medically reviewed by Kathy Shattler, MS, RDN
48% of American men had more than three anxiety symptoms. However, 85% refuse to reach out for help.
Inflation is the most influential global issue for men's mental health, according to 65% of males.
55% of U.S men don't verbally share about their negative feelings.
Toxic masculinity prevents 32% of Gen Z men from expressing emotions. 21% are under the pressure of being manly; 11% believe "boys don't cry".
18% of U.S. men use addictive substances to cope with stress.
27% of male smokers start before 13, 50% before 15, and 66% before 18.
Surprisingly, 39% of American males don't mind being bald.
One in every four American men experiences hair loss before the age of 25, and one-third of them by the age of 40.
47% of Gen Z male smokers start smoking because of peer pressure. 50% of Gen Z male smokers think smoking looks cool.
U.S. men spend 70 minutes a week watching porn, which is almost 6 months in a lifetime
More than half (52%) of United State males who watch porn had erectile dysfunction.
30% of American males experienced at least one sexual dysfunction in the last 12 months.
47% of males felt uncomfortable discussing sexual health with their partner.
Only 13% of American males are tested regularly for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Almost one out of every four men never uses protection when having a sexual encounter with a new partner.
48% of American men had
more than three anxiety symptoms.
However, 85% refuse to reach out for help.
Inflation is the most influential global issue
for men's mental health,
according to 65% of males.
Toxic Masculinity prevents 32% of Gen Z men from
expressing emotions. 21% are under
the pressure of being manly.
11% believe "boys don't cry".
One in every four American men experiences hair loss before the age of 25,
and one-third of them by the age of 40.
47% of Gen Z male smokers start
smoking because of peer pressure.
50% of Gen Z male smokers
think smoking looks cool.
70 Minutes U.S. men spend 70 minutes
a week watching porn,
which is almost 6 months
in a lifetime.
One out of Four men never uses protection when
having a sexual encounter
with a new partner.
This survey is an intervention aimed at improving the country's state of men's health. By understanding the current views of the adult American male on physical, sexual, and mental health, this survey can help modify the approach towards male-related health issues and get men more appropriate health care.
So you can understand the results better, this article will break the survey into five broad sections, each with more specific information.
The first section tackled in the survey was the frequency and attitudes American men have toward medical checkups. Below are the findings
Many assume that the number of men who go for checkups in the U.S. is lower than that of men who don't. So, we started our survey by asking men when they last went for a medical checkup, and the results were astonishing.
As unlikely as it may seem, only 33% of the men surveyed said they hadn't had any medical checkups in more than two years. A third of them said they hadn't had any checkups for five years or more.
This means a staggering 67% of the respondents had gone in for a checkup in the last two years. This is the most important finding because it shows that adult American men aren't as unaware of their health as many think.
However, a rather grim finding was that nearly half of the surveyed Gen Z males don't have regular medical checkups.
Even though there have been many attempts to lower the cost of healthcare, it is still costly for most people in the country. A typical doctor's visit that lasts about 15 minutes can cost as much as $104 for a consultation.
For nearly half of the respondents who don't have regular medical checkups, such a high cost is why they do not get regular checkups. Specifically, 23.9% of the men in this category cannot cover preventative care prices, and 20.6% must prioritize other spending needs over medical checkups
Cost aside, the other two leading reasons American men do not go for checkups are time and stereotypes. The survey shows that 39% of the surveyed men are too busy for medical checkups, while 13% shun checkups because they conform to the stereotype that "men should be tough."
Most men are known to pull the "tough guy" card regarding sickness, so the idea that most would willingly go in for a checkup seems outlandish. However, if the survey findings are anything to go by, then men in America are willing to get medical checkups.
From the sample of respondents who said they frequently go for checkups, 71% do so because they believe it's necessary. There is no coercion or immediate need for a checkup for these men, but they get one because they think it is good for them. It is a form of preventive care that pays off in the long term.
However, 11% of those having regular medical checkups do so on an involuntary basis. They go for medical checkups because of work requirements or because their families force them to go.
When asked what they would prefer to do instead of going for a checkup, respondents had a few ideas.
Respondents indicated that 38% of them would enjoy their hobbies instead, 23% said they would prefer spending time with loved ones, while 21% of them would sacrifice medical checkups for a little more time at work.
There are many diseases in modern-day America. Some are common and don't cause that much physical or mental distress, but others are serious and could kill you.
So, we set out to find the top three health concerns among adult American males, and here's what we found.
Although it did not make it to the top of the list, mental health is the second-most prevalent health concern among men in America.
According to 74% of respondents, the first health concern is heart-related. Another 64% of the respondents said that mental health is a bigger worry, while 57% said that cancer is their biggest health worry.
Undoubtedly, cancer affects and kills more people in the U.S. than mental health does. But since the COVID-19 pandemic started, financial, emotional, and mental stress has worsened, and more men are having mental health problems. This could be why they are so worried about the subject.
The 2022 State of Men's Health Survey broke down men's health concerns into age groups. Interestingly, 82% of Gen Z considered mental health their most important health concern, while 77% of baby boomers viewed heart disease as their primary concern.
For boomers, unlike other generations, mental health is not even among their top three health concerns. Instead, their focus seems more inclined toward heart-related diseases.
Sexual and reproductive health seemed to be the least concern among all age groups. Gen Z is the age group with the most significant concern about sexual health, and only 39% of them seem to think it is a significant concern.
Boomers are again the least concerned with sexual health, with only 26% of them prioritizing the subject.
Mental health has overarching importance for general well-being.
So, this survey aimed to find out how mentally healthy American men are, how they think about mental health, and how they deal with mental health problems.
Let's take a look at the findings.
Anxiety is a key characteristic of many mental health-related issues. In the survey, we wanted to understand how many men suffered from anxiety and how they dealt with it. Here's what the survey revealed:
The survey showed that 48% of American men said they had more than three symptoms of anxiety. These fears can range from constant panic and worry to more serious things like a fast heart rate, trouble breathing, and trouble sleeping.
On the bright side, though, 85% said they could deal with it or that everything was fine.
Mental health is a growing concern in the U.S. and worldwide. With this in mind, we looked at the global causes of mental health problems in men in this survey section. Below are our findings.
Economic instability has taken its toll on many
individuals in recent times. Global inflation
rates will move from 4.7% in 2021 to 8.8% in
2022 [1]. This translates to a nearly double rise
in the cost of living.
In many societies worldwide, men often shoulder
an enormous financial burden for loved ones. This is
why 65% of men said that hearing about the inflation
rate made them feel more anxious. This makes inflation
a global issue that affects men's mental health the most.
Aside from the rate of inflation, the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of military conflicts worldwide are the two biggest reasons why men's mental health is in trouble.
Even though life has returned to a certain degree of normalcy, 35% of the people who answered the survey think that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their mental health.
In comparison, 23% attribute their mental health woes to military strife worldwide.
It's generally believed that men have difficulty opening up about their feelings. But why is that the case? Here's what respondents had to say:
Even though the men in the survey were very aware of and concerned about their mental health, it was shocking to find out that 55% of them don't talk about how they feel.
The Leading Reason Why Men Don't Open Up About Their Negative Feelings Is The Belief That Sharing Will Not Solve The Problem
When asked why they do not openly discuss their negative emotions, a whopping 30% of U.S. men who don't talk about their negative feelings do so because they don't think that can be the solution. These men prefer to find solutions rather than discuss what's on their minds.
In contrast, 52% of those who chose to open up about their negative feelings did so because they believed it could help solve their problems.
Another 28% of respondents attributed their silent approach regarding mental health challenges to not wanting to impact their loved ones' mental health negatively. This group thought that if they told their loved ones how bad they felt, it would make them feel bad and make them avoid talking to them.
The third reason many respondents believed that verbalizing their mental distress was a hindrance was that they did not know how to express negative emotions. Survey responses indicated that 15% of the men in the survey said they don't know how to talk about their negative feelings or express themselves when upset.
Gen Z, the age group most concerned about mental health in this survey, expressed that when they fail to talk about their negative emotions, it's mostly because of toxic masculinity. A full 32% of Gen Z males in the survey shared this perspective.
America's social fabric is wearing out fast. These days, people tend to keep more to themselves or have superficial relationships with others.
Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Americans grow increasingly isolated. For this reason, one out of five men in this survey reported not having anyone to speak to about their negative feelings.
When men have someone to open up to, 45% share their worries with their romantic partners, while 26% share them with friends.
Surprisingly, American men prefer to share their anxieties with their moms five times more frequently than with their dads. Only 1.4% of U.S. males can open up with their dads. The survey also showed that 75% of people who first told someone how they felt and got a negative response can no longer do so.
How do men cope with the ever-increasing stress of day-to-day life?
Let's dive into the section of the survey that addressed this subject.
Topping the list of the five most common stress-coping methods among U.S. men is the art of focusing on positive thoughts. For 41% of the respondents, focusing on positive thoughts is how they deal with stress.
Another 40% of respondents said they work out; 35% choose to spend time with animals or positive people; 28% prefer to focus on work; and 24% choose to meditate to cope with stress.
Unfortunately, 18% of respondents said they choose addictive substances such as alcohol, smoking, and marijuana as stress coping mechanisms.
Support systems are crucial for individuals battling mental health issues. So, the survey examined the need for mental health support systems in the U.S. and tried to identify the most effective system.
Here's a summary of what we found.
Our survey indicated that only 29% of U.S. men don't need any support for their mental health, although mental health is their Number Two health concern. This leaves 71% needing support to deal with their mental health.
Family support is the preferred form of support for men struggling with mental health issues. The survey revealed that 34% of American adult males wish their loved ones would proactively ask them whether they're okay.
Physical well-being is often the hallmark of overall well-being. Let's explore some of the opinions that American men have about their physical well-being and the challenges they face with the same.
Hair loss is a persistent health issue for many men in the U.S. The survey indicates that one in every four American men experiences hair loss before age 25, and one-third of them by age 40.
Even though a huge number of men are losing their hair, very few of those who are going through it go to a doctor or other medical provider for help.
Here's why most American men don't seek medical intervention for hair loss:
The survey indicated that 49% of the respondents say they see no need to visit a doctor because it won't change anything. A full 39% of the others say they are comfortable being bald and hence see no need for treatment. However, 30% avoid visits to the doctor because of the financial implications.
Another deep-seated concern for the well-being of American men is smoking. Even though smoking is socially frowned upon and has bad effects, it is still a part of life in the United States.
During months like Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November, there are concerted efforts to ensure people know about the growing number of cancer-related cases and deaths that stem from smoking. But do these efforts yield results among American men?
Here's a breakdown of U.S. males and smoking statistics.
American males start smoking before they are even 13 years old. According to the survey, approximately 27% of American male smokers begin before age 13, 50% before age 15, and 66% before age 18.
The desire to look cool is the leading cause of smoking among Gen Z men in the U.S. Results from the survey showed that 47% of Gen Z male smokers started smoking because of peer pressure. The survey shows that 50% of Gen Z male smokers think smoking looks cool.
Almost seven out of ten American males who smoke cigarettes daily begin smoking by the age of 18, and 93% start smoking by the age of 22.
This shows that exposure to tobacco at a young age makes people more likely to become chain smokers or smokers who smoke all the time.
Sex is still considered a taboo topic among many people living in the U.S. Although the introduction of sex education in schools has helped demystify the subject, most males in the U.S. grow up with the view that a discussion on sex is off-limits.
This leaves little to no room for men to discuss their sexual health. It also makes people afraid to get medical help for sexually transmitted diseases or problems with reproduction.
Let's explore the state of men's sexual well-being in the U.S.
Although many people do not realize it, pornography (porn) impacts sexual health.
In 2022, the average American male will spend 70 minutes per week on pornography. The life expectancy for American men is 74.5 years [2], which means men spend nearly six months of their lifetime watching porn.
Sexual dysfunction may be a less-discussed topic among men, but it is surprisingly prevalent. Here are a few findings about sexual dysfunction in American males.
According to the survey, 30% of American males said they experienced at least one sexual dysfunction in the last 12 months. Given the sample size used in the study, this is a very high number of sexual dysfunction cases among men.
Among American men with sexual dysfunction, low libido and erectile dysfunction (ED) were the two most common. Survey results indicated that 54% of the respondents who have experienced sexual dysfunction noted that they suffered from low libido, while 47% said they suffered erectile dysfunction.
Even though it's not the most common type of sexual problem, ED is the most common sexual health problem for men in the United States.
A full 43% of the people who took the survey said that ED was their biggest sexual health worry, especially as they get older.
The other two sexual health concerns ranking highly in the survey are low testosterone levels, which 41% of respondents thought were highly concerning, and losing interest in sex, which 33% of the respondents are more concerned about.
Survey responses indicated that 52% of males in the United States who watch porn have erectile dysfunction when they seek pornography. However, although pornography may help trigger arousal and erection, it is not the best way to handle ED issues.
Pornography aside, American men turn to certain self-help techniques to work through their erectile dysfunction. For 68% of respondents with ED, lifestyle change is the go-to remedy.
Often, this involves exercising more frequently or having a healthier diet.
The other 52% report taking ED prescription medications such as Viagra or Cialis to improve their sexual function.
Also, 37% of respondents with ED chose to use supplements, vitamins, or other non-prescription pills for their condition.
ED drastically reduces the quality of romantic and sexual encounters for the men suffering from it. According to the survey, 46% of American men with erectile dysfunction say that it affects their ability to date or their relationship with their partner. A full 41% of them would avoid sexual encounters because of ED
One would think that with more freedom of expression being observed these days, sex
education in schools, and increased exposure to sexual content by the media, men would be more comfortable addressing sexual dysfunction.
However, this is not the case. Here are men's views on discussing sexual dysfunction with their loved ones
In the survey, 47% of men said that talking about their sexual health with their partners made them feel a little uncomfortable or not at all comfortable.
Interestingly, Gen X but not Gen Z are the most open to discussing sexual health issues with their partners.
Apparently, 56% feel comfortable doing so. For Gen Z, this figure drops to a mere 15%.
Increased awareness campaigns on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as venereal infections don't seem to impact the typical adult American male much.
Most men are extremely lax when it comes to having protected sex and getting tested for STDs. Let's analyze what the survey reports on this subject.
If the survey results are anything to go by, only a handful of American men take STD testing seriously. According to the findings, only 13% of American males are tested regularly for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Whether it's ignorance or overconfidence, most men in the U.S. believe they do not have STDs. For this reason, a majority of them don't bother getting tested.
As unbelievable as it may seem, 25% of the U.S. male population has unprotected sex with a new partner. The survey revealed that almost one out of every four men never uses protection when having a sexual encounter with a new partner.
To collect the data shown above, we surveyed 1121 nationally representative US men. Attention-checker questions were included to ensure the participants did not mindlessly answer questions. Any unqualified responses were excluded from our results. Due to the survey's reliance on self-reporting, telescoping and exaggeration can influence responses. Please also note that the results of this survey do not reflect our opinions. All information contained in this report shall not be viewed as medical advice.
If you know someone who could benefit from our findings, feel free to share this report with them. The graphics and content are available for noncommercial reuse. All we ask is that you link back to this page so that readers get all the necessary information and our contributors receive proper credit.
Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here.
[1] World Economic Outlook, October 2022: Countering the cost-of-living crisis. (no date). [online]
Available at: https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/Issues/2022/10/11/world-economic-outlook-october-2022.
[2] Average life expectancy by country. (no date). [online]
Available at: https://www.worlddata.info/life-expectancy.php.
