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Impact of Covid-19 pandemic on people’s health within the past year

14 Sep 2021

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%).
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