Essential Report
Impact of Covid-19 pandemic on people’s health within the past year
Q. Thinking about your health in the past year, which of the following applies to you as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic?
Yes, applies to me | No, does not apply to me | |
I’ve visited my GP less regularly | 44% | 56% |
My overall mental wellbeing has declined | 40% | 60% |
I’ve avoided seeking medical attention for a health issue I would normally get looked at | 32% | 68% |
I’ve had medical check-ups/tests delayed or cancelled | 32% | 68% |
My overall physical health has declined | 31% | 69% |
I’ve had elective procedures delayed or cancelled | 22% | 78% |
- The Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown restrictions have had a knock-on effect on many people’s general health, with 44% visiting their GP less regularly and 32% avoiding seeking medical attention. 32% have also had check-ups or tests delayed or cancelled, and 22% have had electives procedures delayed or cancelled.
- 40% acknowledge a decline in their mental wellbeing and 31% in their physical health.
TOTAL: Yes, applies to me | Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | ||||||||
Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
I’ve visited my GP less regularly | 44% | 41% | 46% | 52% | 48% | 33% | 45% | 44% | 55% | 41% | ||
My overall mental wellbeing has declined | 40% | 38% | 41% | 53% | 47% | 22% | 41% | 36% | 56% | 40% | ||
I’ve avoided seeking medical attention for a health issue I would normally get looked at | 32% | 31% | 33% | 42% | 38% | 18% | 34% | 32% | 46% | 25% | ||
I’ve had medical check-ups/tests delayed or cancelled | 32% | 33% | 32% | 42% | 35% | 20% | 28% | 34% | 50% | 36% | ||
My overall physical health has declined | 31% | 32% | 29% | 37% | 36% | 20% | 31% | 29% | 42% | 32% | ||
I’ve had elective procedures delayed or cancelled | 22% | 25% | 20% | 34% | 23% | 11% | 18% | 25% | 29% | 21% | ||
Base (n) | 1,100 | 539 | 561 | 341 | 374 | 385 | 367 | 389 | 103 | 145 | ||
TOTAL: Yes, applies to me | State | ||||
NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | |
I’ve visited my GP less regularly | 52% | 51% | 37% | 34% | 24% |
My overall mental wellbeing has declined | 43% | 45% | 35% | 39% | 30% |
I’ve avoided seeking medical attention for a health issue I would normally get looked at | 35% | 35% | 30% | 27% | 24% |
I’ve had medical check-ups/tests delayed or cancelled | 40% | 32% | 29% | 23% | 21% |
My overall physical health has declined | 35% | 32% | 33% | 22% | 19% |
I’ve had elective procedures delayed or cancelled | 25% | 24% | 21% | 14% | 19% |
Base (n) | 352 | 274 | 217 | 89 | 111 |
- Younger people are more likely than older people to have experienced the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on their health. Those aged 18-34 are more likely than those over 55 to have had delays or cancellations to medical appointments (42% to 20% for check-ups/tests, 34% to 11% for elective procedures).
- Younger people are most likely to have noticed a decline in both their mental wellbeing and physical health (53% and 37% respectively).
- People living in NSW and Victorians are more likely than those in other states to say their mental wellbeing has declined (43% and 45%).

COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
Essential Report
In this week's report:
- Performance of Scott Morrison
- Performance of Anthony Albanese
- Preferred Prime Minister
- Views towards re-electing the federal Coalition government
- Party trust to handle issues
- Importance of Australia’s international reputation
- Scott Morrison’s impact on Australia’s international reputation
- Views towards Australia’s international reputation
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