Declining Health/Life Expectancy for Gen X and Gen Y

 

An analysis by researchers from Ohio State University in Columbus and published in The American Journal of Epidemiology reveals an unsettling trend. Recent generations show a worrying decline in health compared to their parents and grandparents when they were the same age which may lead to declining life expectancy for members of Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980) and Generation Y (Millennials born between 1981 and 2000).

Gen X-ers and Gen Y-ers show higher rates of smoking and drug and alcohol use, as well as greater levels of anxiety and depression, than previous generations did at the same age.

The results suggest the likelihood of higher levels of diseases and more deaths in younger generations than we have seen in the past, said Hui Zheng, lead author of the study and professor of sociology at The Ohio State University. "The worsening health profiles we found in Gen X and Gen Y are alarming," Zheng said. "If we don't find a way to slow this trend, we are potentially going to see an expansion of morbidity and mortality rates in the United States as these generations get older."

The researchers found that the measures of physical health have worsened from the baby boomer generation through Gen X and Gen Y. For whites, increases in metabolic syndrome were the main culprit, while increases in chronic inflammation were seen most in Black Americans, particularly men.

Health behaviors also show worrying trends. The probability of heavy drinking has continuously increased across generations for whites and Black males, especially after late-Gen X (born 1973-80). For whites and Blacks, the probability of using street drugs peaked at late boomers (born 1956-64), decreased afterward, then rose again for late-Gen X. For Hispanics, it has continuously increased since early-baby boomers. Surprisingly, results suggest the probability of having ever smoked has continuously increased across generations for all groups.

Zheng said these results may be just an early warning of what is to come. "People in Gen X and Gen Y are still relatively young, so we may be underestimating their health problems," he said. "When they get older and chronic diseases become more prevalent, we'll have a better view of their health status."