The COVID pandemic has had a huge impact on our lives. CVS Health recently conducted a survey to learn more about it. The study found that Americans, including Phoenix residents, have seen changes in physical activity, anxiety, weight and stress. Joel Helle, vice president of medical services at CVS Health, discussed the top health challenges identified by Phoenicians as a result of the pandemic.
What did the survey ask?
The survey covered the city of Phoenix, as well as other cities across the country. Questions included what participants wanted from their health care providers and how the pandemic affected their well-being.
The results
50% reported that children are sources of stress. 81% want healthcare providers to be attuned to overall life satisfaction. 83% want better coordination between providers.
These three statistics were highlighted by Joel Helle, vice president of Medical Services at CVS Health. He paid particular attention to the life satisfaction finding, saying patients want doctors to ask them about their mental well-being along with their physical metrics.
“In the past, we thought ‘check your blood pressure, donate blood and check your levels and see what it is,’ and now people say, ‘I want this kind of mental health and connection to my blood pressure. ‘”
Regarding Phoenix specifically, Helle said that while people reported weight gain and increased anxiety across the country, Phoenix participants were especially affected.
Were any of the results surprising?
What surprised Helle the most was the strong desire for mental health connection. She said that she was likely driven by the increased access to health professionals that was made possible by telehealth and other virtual options. These options, says Helle, are probably here to stay.
“I think telehealth and that sort of thing really has a role in rural areas and underserved areas where people don’t have access to a doctor maybe that simple. Those kinds of areas should really see a lot of growth.”
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Source: azpbs.org