Older men are doing the least to protect themselves from coronavirus, despite being at highest risk, a new study claims.
Researchers from Georgia State University claim that older men are less worried about catching or dying from the virus than women their age, or younger people or both sexes.
In their study, the team surveyed 302 participants about the perceptions of COVID-19 and any behavioural changes they had made in response to the global pandemic.
The results showed that most participants were at least moderately worried about COVID-19, while more than 80% reported washing their hands more frequently, taking more care about cleanliness, no longer shaking hands and avoiding public places.
More than 60% also reported no longer socialising with others.
However, compared to all other participants, older men were less worried about COVID-19, and had adopted the fewest numbers of behaviour changes.
Dr Sarah Barber, who led the study, said: “In normal circumstances not worrying as much is a good thing. Everyday life is probably happier if we worry less.
“However, where COVID-19 is concerned, we expected that lower amounts of worry would translate into fewer protective COVID-19 behaviour changes.”
Based on the findings, the researchers hope to better educate older men about their risks around the disease.
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Dr Barber said: “Our study showed that for older men, accurate perception of risk worked as well as worry to predict preventive behaviours.”
Worryingly, studies have shown that older men are already more at risk of severe or fatal COVID-19 infections.
While the reasons for this remain unclear, the researchers hope that their findings will encourage older men to be more vigilant about reducing their risk of catching the virus.
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