A new national survey finds that the average American feels completely healthy only 19 days each month.
According to a Talker Research study of 2,000 Americans, only 28% report feeling completely healthy at any given time, with the rest of the population living in what experts describe as “moderate or poor health.”
On average, Americans say they experience just 19 days a month where they feel physically and mentally well. That leaves nearly 40% of the month — and by extension, 40% of life — spent coping with fatigue, digestive issues, headaches, mood swings, or worse.
“This is not a sustainable path for a healthy nation,” said Gale Bensussen, CEO of Doctor’s Best, which commissioned the study. “If the average American only feels healthy 19 days a month, perhaps the real epidemic is how much suffering we’ve learned to tolerate.”
The top health complaints reported in the study include fatigue, affecting Americans an average of 12.9 days each month. Mood changes follow at 10.1 days, while digestive problems — such as bloating, indigestion, and constipation — affect people for about 9.8 days per month. Headaches are also a frequent complaint, with sufferers reporting symptoms 7.5 days a month.
Digestive health stands out as a major concern, especially among younger generations. Nearly one in three Americans now identifies as having “gut issues,” and among those with recurring digestive problems, almost half say it affects their willingness to engage in intimacy. In fact, 48% of people with gut issues say they actively avoid sex because of it.
The consequences go far beyond discomfort. A full 65% of working adults say their health problems are hurting job performance. More than 40% report that poor health makes it harder to stay active, creating a feedback loop that worsens long-term health. And for many, the toll reaches into their personal lives: 15% say they struggle to enjoy family time, and 32% of men specifically report symptoms of erectile dysfunction linked to chronic health problems.
The survey also found that young Americans — particularly Gen Z — are being hit hardest by gut issues. And while both men and women are turning to supplements for relief at nearly equal rates (38% and 37%, respectively), men are more likely to say that their health problems affect their sleep and productivity. Still, they remain more hesitant to seek medical help.
Katie Lucas, Chief Marketing Officer of Doctor’s Best, warns that the problem is deeper than just gut health. “When your gut is unbalanced, everything else begins to suffer: work, sleep, intimacy, and even the simple joy of being with family,” she said. “We often try to convince ourselves that health is a private issue, but the statistics show otherwise.”
The data points to a broader cultural trend: Americans are quietly accepting poor health as the new normal. With three out of four people now describing their health as something less than “good,” expectations have shifted downward — and the consequences could be lasting.
As younger generations report more chronic issues and gut-related disorders than their parents or grandparents, the long-term health of the country could be at risk. And with job performance, productivity, and family stability all tied closely to physical wellness, these trends could spell economic and social consequences down the line.
Still, there are signs that Americans are willing to act. A large portion of those surveyed said they’re open to exploring supplements, diet changes, and other steps to reclaim their health. But whether these changes will be embraced at a national level — or continue to be treated as personal struggles to be endured — remains an open question.