Why millennials are aging faster than previous generations (and what you can do about it)

In recent news, it has been reported that Millennials (those born from the early 80s to 1996) are facing a faster decline in health compared to older generations, countering conventional expectations that the health-savvy generation would enjoy increased longevity. A few years ago, a Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) study revealed that a third of Millennials have health conditions that reduce their quality of life and life expectancy. The report found that Millennials have substantially higher diagnoses for 8 of the top 10 health conditions than Generation X, and based on their current health status, millennials are more likely to be less healthy when they’re older. It appears that female Millennials are 20% less healthy than their male counterparts, specifically driven by cases of major depression, type II diabetes and endocrine conditions. Another study in 2021 found that 44% of older millennials already have a chronic health condition. Without intervention, Millennials could see mortality rates increase to 40% more than Gen-Zers of the same age. 

What is at the root of this trend and what can be done?

HOW IS MILLENNIAL HEALTH DECLINING?

1. Physical Health. The BCBS study reports higher rates of hypertension, high cholesterol, and tobacco use in 2017 among millennials compared to 2014 among Gen Xers. If young people who are entering their 30s are already experiencing health conditions that lead to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, then this generation is heading toward higher mortality rates than previous generations as they age.
2. Mental/ Emotional Health. We have seen rapidly increasing “behavioral health” problems, or conditions like depression, hyperactivity (e.g. anxiety, ADD, and ADHD), and substance abuse among millennials. Between 2014 and 2017, rates of depression and hyperactivity increased 30% among Millennials. Compared to Gen Xers, Millennials between ages 30 and 39 are more likely to die from accidental overdose, suicide and homicide.

WHY IS MILLENNIAL HEALTH DECLINING?

1. Work/ Life Balance. With emails and high connectivity being introduced in the late 90s, Millennials were the first generation to enter the work force where remote work (working from home, checking/ responding to emails, etc.) was possible and perhaps even encouraged. With a disrupted work-life balance comes more stress, which in turn can lead to a host of diseases that accelerates aging. More work means less time for exercise, which could lead to obesity and cardiovascular disease as well as cognitive decline (click here to find out how to protect your brain health and delay cognitive aging). Furthermore, financial stress can negatively affect your overall health by preventing you from seeking treatment for conditions and investing in preventative care. In addition, stress can lead to anxiety, which can lead people to turn to smoking, drugs and alcohol, all of which further fuel the risk for heart disease. Suffering from anxiety/ high stress? Click here to read how to reduce anxiety, naturally.
2. Smoking and Vaping. Regular tobacco cigarettes contain not only highly addictive nicotine but also 7,000 other chemicals, many of which are toxic. Though fewer millennials smoke traditional cigarettes compared to Gen Xers, almost 10% of millennials regularly use vape products. Vaping (smoking e-cigarettes) involves heating nicotine extracted from tobacco, as well as flavorings and other chemicals, to create an aerosol which you inhale. Dr. Michael Blaha, director of clinical research at the John Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease, states, “Emerging data suggests links to chronic lung disease and asthma, as well as associations between dual use of e-cigarettes and smoking with cardiovascular disease. You’re exposing yourself to all kinds of chemicals that we don’t yet understand and that are probably not safe.”
3. Alcohol. Being a “psychotropic” drug, alcohol has an impact on cognition, emotions, and perception. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to hypertension and coronary heart disease. Alcohol is also labelled as a carcinogen, meaning it causes cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol use can result in cancer “of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, colon, and rectum.” Alcohol also impairs the immune system, which could make one more vulnerable to harmful viruses and bacteria. With the rise of breweries and social media in the past few decades, many millennials have turned drinking alcohol into a hobby, unaware of its potentially health-damaging effects. Click here to read more about how alcohol can affect your health.
4. Social Media. Excessive use of social media can fuel anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. Multiple studies have found a strong link between heavy social media and an increased risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm and even suicidal thoughts. There is a strong correlation between increased time spent on social media and decreased well-being, so be mindful of how you spend your time. Connect with friends in-person instead- exercise, dine or play a sport or game together.

Click here to learn how you can age gracefully (and slow the aging process!).

SOURCES:

https://www.bcbs.com/press-releases/blue-cross-blue-shield-association-study-finds-millennials-are-less-healthy#:~:text=The%20report%20found%20that%20millennials,older%2C%20compared%20to%20Gen%20Xers.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleystahl/2020/12/30/millennials-the-most-unhealthy-generation-at-work/?sh=4bed01557b12

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/04/older-millennials-chronic-health-conditions.html

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2790520

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2023/12/113_364956.html

Social Media and Mental Health