COVID-19 Survey Findings: Healthcare Technology, Self-Care and More

Coronavirus cases may be going down in certain parts of the U.S., with several cities allowing Americans to return back to work, head out to restaurants, and engage in somewhat “normal” activities. But the pandemic is still very much on the minds of many Americans, according to our most recent healthinsurance.com pulse survey.

More than 1,000 Americans of all ages and demographics weighed in on the current state of healthcare technology, the economic landscape, health matters and a few random topics.

Here’s a breakdown.

Healthcare Technology in the Era of COVID-19

If there’s one COVID-19 silver lining, it’s new or enhanced - medical technology, including the rise of telemedicine, automated chatbots who give coronavirus updates, talking with a family member (sick or healthy) via Zoom, robots that clean hospital rooms, and so much more.

To that end, the 3 survey findings stood out to us:

• 77% would consider wearing a device that could catch early signs of COVID-19 and/or monitor patients who have coronavirus.
• 54% have received COVID-19 updates and information via automated technology like text updates from their cities/counties or using a coronavirus self-checker chatbot on the CDC website.
• 27% have communicated with a family member in a hospital or nursing home via Zoom, FaceTime or telerobots.

Self-Care and Staying Home During COVID-19

One of the most interesting things we learned is that people don’t feel guilty about taking time off despite working from home - which, to us, is a breath of fresh air.

Taking the time to unplug from work could improve moods and mindsets now more than ever. After all, our survey found that the overall moods of our respondents is negative: A combined 78% feel angry, frustrated, sad or depressed, which could be a direct tie to the coronavirus pandemic mixed with economic stress and nationwide protests.

Aside from that, this category yielded some other compelling results.

• 88% are still practicing social distancing.
• 41% feel like they need some time off from work.
• 40% still plan to take their vacation time this summer, despite working from home.
• 31% say their self care has improved since working from home.
• 25% do not talk to anyone about their mental health.

COVID-19 Testing and Vaccines

As a general observation, protection from COVID-19 and the promise of a vaccine understandably remain top-of-mind for our survey respondents.

• 69% plan to wear a mask until there is a COVID-19 vaccine.
• 61% think children should continue with remote learning until there is a vaccine.
• 41% intend on being tested for COVID-19 antibodies.

COVID-19 and the Economic Landscape

Though it's an unfortunate national trend, it's no surprise: Americans continue to take an economic hit from COVID-19.

• 60% still don’t know their health insurance options if they were to lose their jobs during the pandemic.
• 60% don’t have enough money saved to cover medical bills if they contracted COVID-19.
• 41% are struggling to pay their monthly bills.

Other Findings

Have you lost your health insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic?

• Yes: 11%
• No: 89%

Do you think health insurance is:

• A privilege: 32%
• A right: 68%

Do you think the age to be eligible for Medicare should be lowered to 60?

• Yes: 59%
• No: 16%
• Unsure: 25%

Has COVID-19 changed the way you use healthcare?

• Yes: 48%
• No: 52%

Do you use a wearable to monitor your health (Fitbit, Apple Watch, etc.)?

• Yes: 41%
• No: 59%

Should daily use of monitoring through wearable devices result in lower insurance premiums (similar to how drive safe apps work)?

• Yes: 63%
• No: 37%

If you have a chronic condition during COVID-19, did your doctor give you any wearables or remote monitoring devices to help manage your condition and keep you out of the doctor's office?

• Yes: 16%
• No: 84%

Have you had a COVID-19 antibody test?

• Yes: 11%
• No: 89%

Do you think everyone should have to be tested for COVID-19 before going back to work?

• Yes: 66%
• No: 34%

Will you stop worrying about contracting COVID-19 once there is a vaccine?

• Yes: 58%
• No: 42%

Are you still practicing social distancing?

• Yes: 88%
• No: 12%

Do you think there will be a second wave of COVID-19 in the U.S.?

• Yes: 84%
• No: 16%

Have you paid more attention to your health since the pandemic began?

• Yes: 72%
• No: 28%

Has your diet improved since the pandemic began?

• Yes: 27%
• No: 22%
• Stayed The Same: 51%

Have you been exercising more or less since the pandemic began?

• More: 27%
• Less: 27%
• Stayed The Same: 46%

Has your employer changed their vacation policy?

• Yes: 13%
• No: 46%
• N/A: 41%

Do you feel guilty about asking your boss for time off work this summer even though you've been working from home?

• Yes: 14%
• No: 34%
• I haven't needed time off: 52%

Are you still planning on taking your vacation time?

• Yes: 40%
• No: 23%
• N/A: 38%

Have you had to cancel a vacation?

• Yes: 52%
• No: 48%

If you have canceled a vacation, are you rescheduling?

• Yes 34%
• No 66%

Methodology

The above results were gathered through an online poll of more than 1,000 Americans between the ages of 18-64. The poll was conducted from June 8, 2020 to June 10, 2020, gleaning representative samples from each state based on population.

Explore More Coronavirus Survey Findings

• May 2020: Testing, Mental Health, and More
• April 2020: Economic Impacts and Health Insurance Trends
• March 2020: Telemedicine Usage During COVID-19