Highmark Blue Shield and Blue Cross Blue Shield Association address key health conditions impacting millennials

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Study finds millennials are less healthy than Generation X were at the same age

CAMP HILL, Pa. (June 25, 2019) — Nearly 73 million people in the U.S. are millennials — people who were born between 1981 and 1996 — and they are the second largest generation among commercially insured Americans.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), The Health of America Report® series, “The Health of Millennials,” examined the BCBS Health IndexSM, a database of de-identified medical claims from more than 41 million commercially insured members of BCBS companies, and found a third of millennials have health conditions that reduce their quality of life and life expectancy

"Based on these findings, we're seeing that millennials are not seeking preventative care and it's not only having an effect on their immediate health, but will significantly impact their long-term health as well," said Vincent Nelson, MD, vice president, Medical Affairs for Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA). "With millennials on track to become the largest generation in the near future, it's critical that they're taking their health maintenance seriously. Our plan is to address this issue now to ensure millennials, and all Americans, take a proactive role in maintaining their health and wellbeing."

To discuss the findings of the report and key health issues facing the millennial generation, Highmark Blue Shield and BCBSA brought dozens of local millennials together in Camp Hill for a seminar and workshop on June 25.

"We feel that it is important for millennials to learn more about the health issues facing their generation, especially when the evidence shows that their health is at greater risk compared to previous generations," said Dr. Charles DeShazer, senior vice president and chief medical officer for Highmark.

At the seminar, key findings of the BCBSA report were presented, including:

• Millennials in the Harrisburg region are less healthy than the national average, and their health index declined from 2014 to 2017
• Average health begins to decline at age 27
• 60 percent of conditions impacting millennials are behavioral health, such as major depression, psychotic disorders, substance use disorder, etc.
• Millennial women are 20 percent less healthy than their male counterparts
• Only 68 percent of millennials have a primary care physician, compared to 91 percent of Gen Xers, limiting opportunities for early diagnosis

Attendees also broke out for workshops to discuss the findings and ways millennials can improve their health. The feedback from the workshops will be shared with BCBSA and presented at a forum on millennial health to be held later this year.

"As a medical doctor, I'm very concerned about these findings," added Dr. DeShazer. "Throughout most of our history in the U.S., each generation has been healthier than the last. However, the trends are showing that millennials will be less healthy than their predecessors. We must work together to address the health issues facing millennials and reverse these trends. This forum is a good first step in that direction."