Why Millennials Are Aging Faster Than Previous Generations (And What You Can Do About It) – Dr. Ardyce Yik ND

In recent news, it was reported that Millennials (those born from the early 80s to 1996) are experiencing a faster decline in health compared to older generations, contradicting conventional expectations that the health-savvy generation would enjoy increased longevity . A few years ago, a Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) study revealed that one-third of Millennials have health conditions that reduce their quality of life and life expectancy. The report found that Millennials have significantly 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, especially due to incidences of major depression, type II diabetes and endocrine disorders. Another study in 2021 found that 44% of older millennials already have a chronic health condition. Without intervention, Millennials could see death rates rise 40% more than Gen-Zers of the same age.

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

HOW DOES CHILIASTA’S HEALTH DECREASE?

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 entering their 30s are already dealing with health conditions that lead to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, then this generation is headed for higher death rates than previous generations as they age.
2. Mental/Emotional Health. We have seen rapidly increasing “behavioral health” problems or conditions such as depression, hyperactivity (eg anxiety, ADD and ADHD) and substance abuse among millennials. Between 2014 and 2017, rates of depression and hyperactivity increased by 30% among Millennials. Compared to Gen Xers, Millennials between the ages of 30 and 39 are more likely to die from accidental overdose, suicide and homicide.

WHY IS MILLENNIAL HEALTH DECLINED?

1. The balance of family and professional life. With email and high connectivity introduced in the late 90s, Millennials were the first generation to enter the workforce where remote work (working from home, checking/answering emails, etc.) was powerful and perhaps even encouraging. With a disrupted work-life balance comes more stress, which in turn can lead to a host of diseases that accelerate aging. More work means less time for exercise, which could lead to obesity and cardiovascular disease as well as cognitive decline (click here to learn how to protect your brain health and delay cognitive aging). Additionally, financial stress can negatively impact your overall health, preventing you from seeking treatment for conditions and investing in preventative care. Additionally, stress can lead to anxiety, which can lead people to turn to smoking, drugs, and alcohol, which further fuel their risk for heart disease. Do you suffer from anxiety/high stress? Click here to read how to reduce stress, 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. Although fewer millennials smoke traditional cigarettes compared to Gen Xers, nearly 10% of millennials regularly use vaping products. Vaping (smoking e-cigarettes) involves heating the nicotine extracted from the tobacco, as well as flavorings and other chemicals, to create an aerosol that you inhale. Dr. Michael Blaha, director of clinical research at the John Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease, states, “Emerging data suggest linked to chronic lung disease and asthmaas 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 even understand and that probably aren’t safe.”
3. Alcohol. Being a ‘psychoactive’ drug, alcohol has an impact on cognition, emotions and perception. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to hypertension and coronary heart disease. Alcohol is also classified as a carcinogen, meaning it causes cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol use can lead to cancer “of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, vocal tract, liver, colon, and rectum.” Alcohol also damages the immune system, which could make someone more vulnerable to harmful viruses and bacteria. With the rise of breweries and social media over the past few decades, many millennials have turned drinking into a hobby, oblivious to its potentially harmful health 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 problems. Multiple studies have found a strong link between heavy social media use and an increased risk of 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 personally with friends – exercise, dine or play a sport or game together.

Click here to learn how you can age gracefully (and slow down 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.