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A Closer Look at the Health ofMillennials

The health status of millennials will likely have substantial effects on the American economy over the next two decades—including workplace productivity and healthcare costs. This generation will be vital to the success of your organization in many ways, so it’s important to understand the key trends below to help prepare for the future.

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73
Million
People
Born between 1981 - 1996, millennials will soon be the largest population of your workforce.

When asked about their health:

83%

of millennials consider themselves in good or excellent health

63%

of millennials have a primary care physician (PCP)

AmeriSpeak® survey conducted in 2018 by NORC at the University of Chicago using a probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. household population.

However, our data show that
a major decline in health typically BEGINS at age 27—impacting millennials today
And, 1/3 of millennials have health conditions that affect their quality of life
 

Here are the Top 10 Conditions Affecting Millennials

(ages 21-36 in 2017)
increase in prevalence
(from 2014-2017)
1
Major Depression
31%
2
Substance Use Disorder
10%
3
Alcohol Use Disorder
1%
4
Hypertension
16%
5
Hyperactivity
29%
6
Psychotic Conditions
15%
7
Crohn's Disease/Ulcerative Colitis
10%
8
High Cholesterol
12%
9
Tobacco Use Disorder
7%
10
Type II Diabetes
22%

Conditions significantly impact health if they reduce future healthy life by more than six months.

Double-digit increases for
8 of the Top 10 Conditions
Major Depression, Hyperactivity and Type II Diabetes
had the largest growth in prevalence
Six are Behavioral Health
conditions affecting mental health and emotional well-being
Total adverse health for
Millennial Women is 20% Larger
than for men, mainly driven by: major depression, type II diabetes, and other endocrine conditions*

*Other endocrine conditions include parathyroid, ovary, adrenal, pituitary and other endocrine system-related conditions. Examples include PCOS, parathyroid disorders, hypoglycemia, vitamin or mineral deficiencies and many others.

How do Millennials Compare to Gen X?

Millennials are
Less Healthy
than Gen Xers were at the same age
 
And data shows
Higher Prevalence Rates
among millennials for 8 of the 10 top conditions

Our report compared like age groups of Gen Xers who were ages 34-36 in 2014 with millennials who were ages 34-36 in 2017.

Let's Help Create a Path Toward Better Health for this Generation

The health of millennials will likely have a direct impact on the health of your organization. That’s why now is the time to start the conversation.

Watch for more updates and join Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and Independence Blue Cross at our national forum, Millennial Health: A Call to Action, in Philadelphia on November 6, 2019.

Learn More

Powered by Blue Cross Blue Shield, The Health of America Report® Series, this infographic leverages BCBS Axis® data, which includes the nation’s largest collection of commercial insurance claims data.

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