Growing up with 24-hour news access and an increase in technology is taking its toll on millennials. A new report released by Blue Cross Blue Shield polled millennials who were 34-36 in 2017 about their health. The majority consider themselves healthy although as a generation they saw a double-digit increase in diagnoses of 8 of the top 10 diseases.
What were these top 10 health conditions? Drum roll please . . .
- Major depression
- Substance use disorder
- Alcohol use disorder
- Hypertension
- Hyperactivity
- Psychotic conditions
- Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- High cholesterol
- Tobacco use disorder
- Type 2 diabetes
Notice anything about the list? The top six are behavioral health issues.
Help is a call away
In addition to being less healthy than previous generations, millennials access healthcare differently. They expect easy access to healthcare, including telemedicine options. And they are less likely to take advantage of preventative care and develop a relationship with their provider. Instead, they only visit a medical provider when they are sick.
The first step to taking control of your health is to seek out help before it’s needed. We change the oil in our car and replace the tires before we have a problem. In a similar fashion, millennials need to visit with their provider at least yearly for preventative care. And providers should screen millennials early and often for undiagnosed behavioral health and substance abuse problems.
Partner with your health provider, and encourage your millennial children and grandchildren to make their medical provider a partner in their health.
Think you know why millennials are struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues more than other generations? Read this article on the study and possible causes to see if you’re right.
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