Published Dec. 21, 2020
More than 126,000 women in America have died from COVID-19, and millions more have been infected. According to our recent survey of 1,017 women, the social restrictions associated with the coronavirus pandemic also had far-reaching health impacts on several key areas of physical and mental well-being for women across the country.
Similar to research showing COVID-19 has made it more difficult for doctors to address women’s health needs, our survey of 1,017 women found that COVID-19 restrictions have impacted the health of a significant number of females in the U.S., largely due to issues such as negative self-image and diminished self-care practices.
Overall, more than 1 out of every 3 women surveyed reported a diminished self-image during the at-home lifestyle resulting from COVID-19 restrictions.
This was especially true for younger women. 45% of women from Generation Z (born after 1997) reported a worsening self-image during 2020, and that number decreased with every age group. Only 18% of baby boomers reported a worsened self-image.
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According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health, a negative body image can put one at a higher risk of certain mental health conditions such as eating disorders or depression.
With many women no longer going into an office or school, attending social functions or just generally going out in public, their daily self-care routines have been neglected.
Nearly half of women surveyed report spending less time on their daily beauty routine now than before COVID-19. And 37% of women say they will likely not return to their normal beauty routines after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
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Our survey found that women have had mixed experiences managing illnesses during the pandemic.
Recent research from the Kaiser Family Foundation revealed the pandemic has made it more difficult for most OBGYNs to address women’s health needs, with more than half reporting a decline in patient visits from March to June 2020.
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The majority of women surveyed listed “chronic health conditions” as the overall health issue that was easiest to manage during COVID-19. “Overworking/exhaustion” ranked second.
Interestingly, “lack of exercise, poor diet or weight struggles” was one of the health issues many women reported to be easier to manage. This could possibly be explained by some women without a morning and evening commute having more time for exercise.
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When it came to physical health, the survey showed some instances of “the sick getting sicker.”
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There has been one silver lining as it relates to women’s health during COVID-19: Almost one-quarter of women said they have become more open to talking about their health issues with their partner during the pandemic than they previously were. Only 4% reported being less open about it.
And younger women – who were more vulnerable than other age groups about their self-image – were the most likely to say they have become more open with their spouse or partner about their health.
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“Sex life and sexuality” and “mental health” were the two issues found to be at the forefront of these conversations, followed by “body insecurities.”
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The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting stay-at-home lifestyle caused a significant number of women to struggle with their self-image in 2020. Many women have neglected their typical self-care routines, and many do not even plan to resume them once the pandemic ends. Diminished perceptions of one’s self during COVID-19 has been especially more evident among younger women.
Women’s physical health has also been challenged, with many women finding it more difficult to manage their conditions during the stay-at-home lifestyle. And many who were already in compromised health at the start of the pandemic have seen their health deteriorate further.
COVID-19 restrictions have allowed a sizable number of women to become more open with their partner about their health issues.
This study was conducted on December 11, 2020, using an audience pool gathered using MTurk, a survey platform tool. The total survey included 1,017 women. 8% of participants were Baby Boomers, 19% belonged to Generation X, 44% were millennials and 29% belonged to Generation Z. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 89. The data were weighted to the 2019 U.S. Census for age and gender.
Participants were filtered based on completion time and failure to follow written instructions within the survey.
Margin of error: +/- 4% (95% confidence interval)
This survey relies on self-reported data.
Of course we would love for you to share our work with others. We just ask that if you do, please grant us the proper citation with a link to this study so that we may be given credit for our efforts.
Our research reports analyze a number of issues important to seniors, from health perceptions, medical communication, health habits, and more.
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