When most people consider health, they think of physical health. However, health involves much more than just what a doctor can treat because other factors in life can impact physical health as well. Financial status, the demands of work, and living conditions all play a part in a person’s physical health, which was the overall focus of this research report aimed at analyzing the overall health, and future health of millennials.
There have been numerous studies and reports produced showing that millennials face more health problems now, and in the future, than their parents faced at the same point in their lives. This research was only completed in the UK, but there are many other countries that are experiencing similar problems, so further research should be focused in these areas. Let’s cover a few important points revealed by this study before we dive in all the way.
- The overall millennial health may be worse in middle age than their parents experienced.
- Millennials face a higher risk of developing health complications like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes because of their lifestyle.
- Millennial stress comes from lower wages, lack of job security, and emotional pressures they face without a solid support system.
- This generation is more likely to experience mental illness due to chronic loneliness, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Problems Faced by Millennials
One of the primary problems faced by the millennial generation is the job market. Their wages are poor and due to many economic factors, they are less likely to own a home than previous generations.
This generation also faces ridicule from society, telling them they are entitled, lazy, and just don’t want to try. This inspired many research studies throughout the United States and the UK, all aimed at finding out what is holding an entire generation back from gaining success and thriving like previous generations, and what health problems they may face in an association.
The most stunning report provided about millennial health by middle age was provided by the Health Foundation, an independent charity based in the UK. The fact that it is an independent study holds more weight than a study provided with the constraints of science in a facility that can be influenced by bias.
The Health Foundation study extended over a period of two years and revealed that the health of young people may be much lower, both physically and mentally, which could impact the health of future generations.
The study not only breaks into physical millennial health. It also focuses on financial health, housing, employment, and social relationships. All of these factors have a direct impact on the millennials physical health in future years.
Factors Impacting Future Millennial Health
The study revealed that people who are now in their 20s and 30s are facing serious struggles in their everyday life. These struggles include locating adequate housing, finding substantial employment, and maintaining social relationships.
Finding a solution to these problems may be more difficult than initially anticipated. Every generation is in charge of building upon what previous generations have accomplished. Previous generations worked consistently to improve the health and stability of their lives. Unfortunately, all of this hard work may be unraveling due to the instability of average millennial health and financial stability.
What Makes the Millennial Different?
The average millennial is entering adulthood, and middle age, while they are still missing fundamental skills needed for a successful life. However, this seems to be a trend that may continue into future generations. The problems millennials face currently is causing a significant impact on future generations and may have a negative impact on their children as well.
The report repeatedly links back to the inability of millennials to find affordable housing and their unstable employment trends, while other reports link back to children finding subconscious comfort in the way they are raised and financial instability continuing through generations because of economic uncertainty and inability to grow beyond economic constraints.
Why Are Today’s Teens Taking So Long to Grow Up?
According to the report from The Health Foundation, the trend of unemployment and lack of adequate housing. With employment trends becoming more unstable the long-term health problems may be worse than we could anticipate right now and further research will need to be done in the near future. The report focused on four assets of future millennial health including:
- Having the skills and qualifications necessary to follow a career path
- Having emotional support
- Having practical support
- Building the personal connections necessary to obtain guidance through life
There were 2,000 polled that were between the ages of 22 and 26 years of age. Each of these people was asked about how much of each four assets they were provided when they were growing up. Only 50% of the people polled reported having each form of support during their youth.
The new research shows that a lot of the youth in question are not being provided the support they need to become a successful adult. Their transition to adulthood is more difficult and trying than previous generations have experienced. This shows that these four types of support are essential to transitioning into adulthood successfully. Failing to provide this support to young people puts their future health at risk, which is what we are now seeing with millennials and millennial health.
It was determined that millennial health is failing because they are lacking the building blocks necessary to be successful. One of the primary areas targeted by this report was the building blocks necessary to build a successful life. The primary questions were focused on the safe home environment. However, nearly 64% of the participants surveyed said that finding housing, and navigating the housing market was difficult, if not impossible.
By understanding where millennials are failing, not only can we better aid them in building success, we can also help prevent this problem from developing in future generations.