Every generation has their own trends in behavior and health. Millennials, now the workplace’s largest group, are no exception. These trends could affect the face of healthcare, and group health plans, for decades to come. Here’s what you need to know about millennial health trends.
Behavioral Health Conditions are Rising
According to a study by Blue Cross Blue Shield, one health trend amongst millennials is a rise in behavioral conditions. These include ADHD, substance abuse, alcohol use, tobacco use, major depression, and psychotic disorders. Some of these show double-digit increases from 2014-2018.
With Covid-19 changes to lifestyle and work causing depression and substance abuse cases to rise, it’s safe to say that behavioral health conditions will be an ongoing health trend for millennials.
Chronic Health Conditions Often Follow
Where behavioral health conditions arise, chronic conditions often exist as well. In millennials, this has shown up as a higher chance for hypertension, high cholesterol, type II diabetes, coronary artery disease, and Crohn’s disease/ulcerative colitis.
Millennial Health Attitudes
Often educated, and armed with the Internet, millennials are more aware of their health issues than previous generations. Just 54% of millennials see their mental health as good or excellent, compared with 64% of baby boomers, and a sizable majority of millennials recognize that mental health has an impact on their physical health.
What Can Employers Do to Help Millennials with Good Health?
Benefits are already trending towards addressing the growing mental and physical health needs of millennials. That’s good news: it means it’s easier for your company to provide services which directly serve these health trends.
Learning more about your workforce and their demographics can serve your company well as you develop benefits packages which help you recruit and retain workers. Additionally, tailoring your marketing messages around benefits enrollment and engagement can address the specific needs of different generations.
Looking for easier ways to target communications, manage employee benefits, and provide benefit options? Learn more about Web Benefit Designs’ customized platforms here.