Understand how the health of the soon-to-be largest segment of the workforce could impact the future of your organization.

The not-as-healthy generation

Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) are known for driving fitness trends like spin classes and yoga, and healthy food fads including avocado toast, kombucha, and kale everything. The reality is, millennials are actually less healthy than previous generations were at the same age.

Millennial health trends

One third have health conditions that affect their quality of life. They are less healthy than gen exers were at the same time. They've experienced double-digit increases for 8 of the top 10 health conditions (ages 21-36 in 2017).

What could today's trends mean for the future of your workforce and the economy?

Increase in healthcare costs

More than double the number of millennials could be receiving treatment for health conditions 10 years from now compared to today. Under the most adverse scenario, treatment costs for millennials in the years ahead could be as much as 33 percent higher than what gen exers experienced at a similar age.

Decrease in employee productivity

Lower productivity and increased absences among less healthy millennials place stress on other employees and management, which could lead to burnout across your workforce.

Higher unemployment and slower income growth

Poorer health among millennials could keep them from contributing as much to the economy as they otherwise would. If this decline in health continues through the next decade, millennials could see per-capita incomes more than 11 percent below their gen x peers.

An alarming trend

Without intervention, millennials could feasibly see mortality rates climb more than 40 percent compared to gen exers at the same age.

Driving change, making a difference

BCBS companies are focused on addressing the unique needs of this generation by reaching out to millennials, business leaders, healthcare providers, and others to create awareness around the importance of millennial health. Together, we can take action today to achieve a healthier tomorrow. To learn more, visit smarterbetterhealthcare.com