Why Millennials Are Aging Faster Than Previous Generations, and How To Fix It

Research shows members of the millennial generation (those born between 1981 and 1996) are aging faster than the generations before them. According to one study by Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), millennials could potentially see mortality rates climb by more than 40% compared to members of Gen-X (those born between 1965 and 1980).

This is a startling discovery as technology continues to advance medical treatment and healthcare. Higher mortality rates will have far-reaching consequences beyond the individuals involved. Rapid aging can place additional burdens on the healthcare system, driving up treatment costs and limiting access to services. On a macro-level, these changes in generational health can even impact the economic output of the United States.

What is at the root of this trend and what can be done about it? Here is everything you need to know about the future of millennial health.

How Millennial Health Is Declining

The idea that millennials are aging faster than previous generations is a big picture idea, but several factors contribute to this trend. According to the report by BCBS linked above, there are two key causes of reduced aging in millennials: behavioral health and physical health.

Behavioral health related to depression, substance abuse, and hyperactivity can lead to overdoses and increases in suicide rates. Indeed, these accidental deaths accounted for 60% of millennial deaths in 2017. In 2002, overdoses and suicides accounted for less than half of accidental deaths for members of Gen X.

Outside of mental health issues, physical health is also declining. The BCBS study reports higher rates of hypertension, high cholesterol, and tobacco use in 2017 compared to 2014. 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.

Why Are Health Conditions on the Rise?

So far, researchers can identify that health conditions are on the rise. However, identifying the causes of these trends is more complicated. There are a few common causes that stand out with researchers and highlight the correlation between lifestyle choices and poor health.

Work and Financial Stress

Millennials entered the workforce at an interesting time. They started their careers during the Great Recessions when jobs were scarce, while also entering roles where remote work was possible. To stay valuable enough to keep on staff, many millennials started checking their emails at night and working at home on weekends, ruining their work-life balance, which contributes to aging.

Despite all this work, few millennials have money. The average millennial is $87,448 in debt. The majority of this debt comes from student loans and car loans, along with credit card debt. These costs, along with skyrocketing housing and rental costs, keep many millennials living paycheck to paycheck. If you can’t set aside a few hundred dollars per month, then you can’t save for a down payment on a house. If you can’t buy a house, then you can’t grow your wealth.

Financial stress is a key weight that can negatively affect your overall health. It prevents people from seeking treatment for conditions and investing in preventative care. It also leads to higher rates of anxiety, which can cause people to turn to vices (like tobacco and alcohol) while also leading to increased rates of hypertension.

Smoking and Substance Abuse

Another cause of the higher rate of aging in millennials is the use of substance abuse. The rise of breweries and microdistilleries across the country has turned drinking alcohol into a hobby, increasing the accessibility to beer, wine, and liquor. Drinking can even affect your vision, resulting in conditions ranging from dry eye syndrome to cataracts.

Smoking is also a popular activity for the millennial generation. The CDC reports that 14 out of every 100 adults ages 25-44 smoke cigarettes, a slight decrease from the previous generation, where 15 out of 100 adults ages 45-64 smoke cigarettes.

While the slight decrease in smoking is a good thing, it doesn’t take into account vaping. Almost 10% of millennials regularly use vape products, along with 20% of Gen Z (those born between 1997 and 2012). This highlights how the next generation is replacing smoking with vaping.

Rising Healthcare Costs

Healthcare continues to be a major expense in American households. While this isn’t limited to millennial patients, rising healthcare costs can contribute to this generation’s debt.

While 92% of Americans have either private or government health insurance, many still have to pay out-of-pocket healthcare costs. One in 50 Americans who interact with the healthcare system each year has to pay out-of-pocket costs higher than $5,000.

Without healthcare (or healthcare that covers treatment) millennials are less likely to seek preventative care or address health concerns before they become serious. Unfortunately, this means they are more likely to pay higher emergency room costs and have higher hospital bills because they couldn’t afford basic treatment when the issues were minor.

How Millennials Can Improve Their Health

Many of the factors that lead to faster rates of aging for millennials are out of their control. However, there are some steps that this generation can take to protect their health and longevity.

Prioritize Mental Health

There is a strong connection between mental health and your overall well-being. Your mental health can motivate you to eat right and exercise. Good mental health can give you the energy to spend time with friends and family. A few ways to improve your mental health include:

• Establish a work-life balance. Set designated times to leave the office.
• Identify your triggers. Know what makes you angry and upset.
• Take up a hobby you love. This can range from knitting to kayaking.
• Talk to someone. Working with a counselor once or twice a month can help you take concrete steps for improvement.

Everyone has their own stressors. Prioritizing mental health means creating time for your happiness and self-love.

Seek Preventative Care

Most insurance policies cover preventative care like annual checkups and routine bloodwork. Set aside time to care for yourself and address issues as soon as you notice them. As the saying goes: an ounce of preventative care is worth a pound of cure.

Try To Save Money for Treatments

While many treatments are covered by insurance, you may have to pay for some medical care out of pocket. For example, many people seek out LASIK eye surgery so they can see better without glasses or contacts, but this procedure is rarely covered by insurance.

Even if you are healthy, start building up your savings now. You will be grateful for your nest egg if you need emergency care.

Stay Active

There is good news for millennial aging: younger generations make up more than 80% of gym-goers. Roughly 87% of Gen Z and a similar percentage of millennials say they exercise three or more times per week. Even going for walks after work can have a positive impact on your physical, mental, and emotional health.

How Businesses Can Help

Employers and healthcare providers also stand to gain from a healthier millennial generation. Companies will notice lower levels of absenteeism and employees who are better prepared to face challenges. Healthcare companies will save money as healthier patients need fewer treatments. We are all in this together and businesses can have an impact on the health of an entire generation.

Employers Can Expand Benefits and Education on Using Them

Millennials increasingly consider health insurance benefits when they interview with companies. As they grow their careers and their families, this generation wants to make sure their employer can provide the healthcare they need. According to one BCBS survey, 42% of millennials cite health insurance benefits as a reason to choose an employer.

Providing health insurance isn’t enough. Companies need to teach employees about their benefits and encourage them to use their coverage as much as possible. These steps can significantly increase productivity and job satisfaction.

For example, look at an employer that discourages employees from taking sick days because they are understaffed or on tight deadlines. These employees won’t be physically able to do their best work and might spread the illness to their coworkers. Compare this to an employer that encourages team members to take time off and use their healthcare benefits. The employees return rested and ready to work.

Healthcare Providers Can Improve Digital Outreach and Engagement

It’s not just up to businesses to provide information on healthcare benefits. Providers and insurance companies should be making efforts to reach out to millennials about key health milestones. As this generation ages, it will need more preventative check-ups and medical care. Without knowledge of what they need to do, how can millennials be expected to look out for their health?

Now is the time to invest in digital resources and online tools to guide this generation (and future tech-savvy Americans) to good health.

Provide More Flexible Services and Payment Options

Every patient is different. They have unique medical histories and react differently to medications and treatments. Doctors are adjusting their treatment methods to improve care to patients, so why aren’t medical providers pivoting as well?

If you want to encourage millennials and other patients to seek care, they need to be able to meet you on their terms. There is an increased drive to provide personalized services to patients. These include multiple options for patient communication through online portals along with flexible payment options to break invoices down into manageable levels.

Customization can empower millennials to take control of their healthcare and can make them less confused and overwhelmed by the whole system.

Work To Improve Trust in Healthcare

If providers create negative experiences for patients, then they can’t be surprised when those patients don’t return. Many young people avoid medical treatment because they fear they won’t be heard or believed. They worry about doctors not having time to answer their questions or consider their conditions. It’s frustrating and disheartening.

Trust is gained and lost in every doctor’s office. It is built or destroyed during every call with a medical office or insurance provider. By offering better care, the healthcare field as a whole can build back a healthier generation.

It’s not fair to entirely blame millennials for their rapid aging and poor health. While this generation should take steps to improve their physical health, business leaders and healthcare providers can also work to protect these Americans and all of the generations that follow them.