A new survey reveals almost half of all Americans have skipped or postponed medical care due amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and nearly a quarter of the population has gone hungry or visited a food bank since the outbreak began.
The latest Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll, released Wednesday, surveyed 1,189 American adults between May 13 and 18 to uncover how the nation’s health habits have been impacted by the coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent stay-at-home orders imposed across large swathes of the country.
The survey reveals that huge numbers of Americans are deferring doctor’s appointments, struggling with stress, and grappling with financial insecurity – suggesting that the side effects of stay-at-home orders could be just as harmful as the virus itself.
The latest Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll , released Wednesday, surveyed 1,189 American adults between May 13 and 18 to uncover how the nation’s health habits have been impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. One in four Americans has visited a food bank, gone hungry or relied on government programs to eat in the three months since February
Medical experts have expressed concern over the fact that many Americans are now hesitant to visit doctors and hospitals for fear of exposing themselves to COVID-19
48 percent of all those who responded to the The Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll stated that they or someone in their household has postponed or skipped medical care due amid the outbreak.
Disturbingly, 11 percent of those claimed that their conditions have worsened due to the avoidance of treatment.
Since March, medical experts have expressed concern over the fact that many Americans are now hesitant to visit doctors and hospitals for fear of exposing themselves to COVID-19. Some say it could create a second health crisis, as many chronic illnesses may go undiagnosed and untreated.
Meanwhile, the poll reveals also reveals that more than a third of Americans are struggling with stress and worry from the coronavirus pandemic that has had a negative impact on their mental health.
12 percent of respondents stated that the pandemic has had a ‘major’ impact on their mental health. Women were more likely than men to be struggling with their well- being in the midst of the crisis.
Meanwhile, the poll reveals also reveals that more than a third of Americans are struggling with stress and worry from the coronavirus pandemic. Much of the stress is due to changes in financial situations brought about by widespread lockdowns
One in four respondents reported they skipped meals, visited a food bank or received government benefits to buy supplies in the three months since February
Food insecurity was more likely to affect black and Hispanic Americans, according to the data obtained by the Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll
Meanwhile, there has also been an uptick in the number of Americans going hungry in the three months since the coronavirus outbreak brought the country to a standstill.
14 percent of all respondents admitted they cut down the size of their meals to conserve food – or completely skipped eating all together.
13 percent visited a food bank or charity, and 13 percent applied for or received SNAP benefits to buy groceries.
There has been an uptick in the number of Americans going hungry in the three months since the coronavirus outbreak brought the country to a standstill. A man is pictured outside a food bank in New York City on May 15
Food insecurity was more likely to affect black and Hispanic Americans, according to the data obtained by the Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll.
A whopping 45 percent of black respondents said they are now either skipping meals or relying on charity or government programs to obtain food. Only 10 percent were doing so before the coronavirus pandemic.
Nearly four in 10 (38 percent) of Hispanic respondents reported the same, while the number was far lower for whites (18 percent).
Source: dailymail US
