As the oldest millennials turn 40 years old this year, a new Harris Poll survey has found 44 percent of people born between 1981 and 1988 have been diagnosed with at least one chronic health condition.
The survey, on behalf of CNBC Make It, suggests a generation less healthy than anticipated.
Here are the most common ailments reported by millennials, born between 1981 and 1996:
- Migraine headaches.
- Major depression.
- Asthma.
- Type 2 diabetes.
- Hypertension/high blood pressure.
Primary care physicians typically help identify chronic health conditions early, but millennials have been reluctant to visit doctors regularly. With fewer Americans visiting a doctor during the pandemic, health experts fear a rapid acceleration of new diagnoses in the coming months. An estimated 50 percent of millennials do not have a primary care physician.
Dr. Linette Rosario
“Statistics do show that millennials don’t like to go to the doctor,” says Dr. Linette Rosario a primary care physician with the Hartford HealthCare Medical Group in Bridgeport who is also a millennial. “They feel, ‘I’m healthy, I don’t need to see the doctor,’ but having a PCP is extremely important regardless of the age or gender.”
Here are the survey results that also show 26 percent of millennials reporting at least two chronic medical conditions:
An early diagnosis can lead to improved quality of life, greater life expectancy and lower out-of-pocket medical expenses. It starts with a primary care physician, says Dr. Rosario.
“Annual visits are key, even if you’re feeling healthy,” she says. “You can have high blood pressure and not notice. Your cholesterol may be a little bit off from eating out so often with your friends. Your weight might have gone from an overweight to an obesity category. You may have diabetes and not even recognize the subtle symptoms or have no symptoms at all. The key is prevention. That’s what primary care doctors are made of. We want to help you maintain your health for years to come.”
Need a primary care physician? Visit the Hartford HealthCare Medical Group here.