December 27, 2024
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The state of men’s health and the lifestyles of Americans in 2024 were a mixed bag. Despite some progress, surveys show many men do not act like they are concerned about their health – despite saying they are.
Mixed. That's how I'd characterize the state of men's health and the lifestyles of Americans in 2024. There were hints that young men are now open to mental health care, and the push to revise the nation's dietary guidelines advanced. Funding for social prescriptions got a financial boost from the federal government, and weight-loss drugs contributed to a drop in obesity rates for the first time in a decade, while prompting an uptick in doctor visits.
Despite this progress, surveys showed that men continue to say they are concerned about their health, despite not acting like it. The crisis among boys and men in America grew in prominence, and traditional masculinity was on full display in the presidential election with studies showing that classic mindsets of manliness remain anchored in the American male psyche.
On a personal level, in July, I had spine surgery to remove a small cyst, but thanks to a prehabilitation regimen, I was able to bounce back and compete in a number of 5K runs to finish the year feeling good.
For lifestyle advocates like me, 2024 offered a measured level of progress. However, these strides came with an equally strong dose of "more of the same." Where we go in 2025 is hard to predict.
Men are historically averse to any medical intervention, and mental health has been particularly taboo. That's why research showing that younger men are slightly more open to mental health care than prior generations is notable. Scientists at the Cleveland Clinic found that, among men, 59% percent of millennials and Generation Z would be open to seeking mental health care compared to 53% percent of Generation X and baby boomers. It's a small but important step forward – one that reinforces prior examples of changing male norms when it comes to depression and mental health.
Recently, the U.S. 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee recommended Americans eat less red and processed meats, and more beans, peas and lentils. The committee moved these plant-based proteins from the vegetable foods group to the protein foods group, and listed plant-sourced protein above animal sources such as seafood, meats, poultry and eggs. Pushback came quickly from the meat industry, and final guidelines have yet to be confirmed, but the step is considered significant in dietary circles.
Plant-based diets are often linked with healthy lifestyles, reduced disease risk and improved health. The committee's scientists also commented on ultra-processed foods, suggesting they are associated with a greater risk of obesity, but stopped short of reaching firm conclusions. Ultra-processed foods like chips and chocolate contain a patchwork of ingredients, additives and preservatives designed to add flavor and a longer shelf life, but they have been linked to cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Here, again, there are hints that the new administration may seek to crack down on food additives and ultra-processed foods.
Finally, any recap of 2024 must include a reference to GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. While pharma is typically outside the scope of my lifestyle focus, two points spill over into my space.
One is an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association that showed the U.S. adult obesity rate dropped for the first time in a decade. Researchers suggest GLP-1 weight-loss drugs along with pandemic-associated demographic and behavioral changes may have contributed to the results.
A second positive impact is a reported uptick in physician visits by people prescribed the drugs. They now are less hesitant to seek testing and care for other health concerns. A study performed by Truveta Research found slight, but measurable increases in first-time diagnosis of sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes within 15 days of an initial prescription for a GLP-1 between 2020 and 2024. The results show how social stigma, and cultural norms can deter people from seeking care, and equally important, how they may be living unaware of their disease – a key finding that spills into the world of healthy behavior.
From the category of nothing new, most men continue to say their health is a concern but take few actions to ensure their longevity. According to a survey from the Cleveland Clinic, large percentages of men do not get an annual physical or recommended screenings for cancer and other health conditions. The 2024 results mirror those from 2023 and 2022.
And, as we know, a man's hesitancy to get medical care stems from longstanding cultural influences. A survey this fall from the Pew Research Center found that 85% of men see themselves as either highly masculine or leaning masculine. Building on this sentiment, the 2024 presidential campaign pushed traditional views on masculinity to the top of America's cultural agenda, reinforcing values that may restrain many men from living healthy. Though being confident, assertive and physically strong does not mean that men should avoid their annual physicals, skip crucial cancer screenings or ignore their mental health, research from the Cleveland Clinic suggests they feel otherwise. For many, seeking medical care remains a sign of weakness. How these campaign values translate into health policy remains to be seen.
A very troubling trend that gained much attention this year is the growing crisis among boys and men. For boys, the concern is an educational achievement gap with girls that has long-term effects on their health. Doing poorly at school is strongly associated with major challenges later in life, including addiction, mental and physical health problems, and involvement with the criminal justice system.
For men, a front-page story in the Wall Street Journal called it a "crisis of purpose" spurred by changing gender roles, reductions in classic male-dominated industries like manufacturing, and a hesitancy to take on roles viewed as feminine despite the economic opportunities. This crisis in adulthood fuels a male suicide rate four times greater than women and has men accounting for 71% of opioid overdose deaths. Men in their 20s and 30s, are the primary victims, but the crisis can impact those beyond this range.
A September report from the Commonwealth Fund found the United States has the worst-performing health system among 10 high-income countries — despite America spending far more per capita than these other countries. The report speaks volumes about the challenges we face, but it's also important to note that the performance measures included factors like access to care and administrative efficiency.
Despite these hurdles, the science this year demonstrates that, on an individual level, where personal behavior and social conditions can help mitigate the risk of disease, there remains an opportunity to influence our health — if we can change behavior and adopt healthy practices like diet and exercise, topics I explored in June and July respectively.
As 2024 transitions into 2025, my take is that we embrace the small wins while keeping our eyes wide open to the challenges we face in maintaining a lifestyle that will bring us the health and happiness that we all want. It's a journey for the long haul, but one that continues. Have a happy and healthy New Year!
Louis Bezich, senior vice president and chief administrative officer at Cooper University Health Care, is author of "Crack The Code: 10 Proven Secrets that Motivate Healthy Behavior and Inspire Fulfillment in Men Over 50." Read more from Louis on his website.
