Gen Y consists of the people who became adults at the beginning of the 21st century, many of whom have now reached middle age. While most are still in good health, they should be aware of the importance of taking care of their health and take preventive measures to avoid diseases. Some chronic diseases such as coronary artery disease can take years before symptoms appear. Being aware of the risks and family history of serious illnesses can help Gen Yers avoid future health problems.
Gen Y Health Risks
Various Chronic Diseases
Coronary Artery Disease
It can happen to people of all ages. Young people with obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and those who smoke are at higher risk for coronary artery disease. In addition, one in 250 people has been found to have familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a genetic form of high cholesterol. This increases the risk of having coronary artery disease at a young age.
Cancer
Young people risk developing cancer as well. According to a study in MBJ Oncology, a medical journal, the number of people under 50 diagnosed with cancer worldwide has gone up by 79% since the 1990s, with the highest increase in cases of breast cancer, followed by lung cancer and colon cancer respectively.
Reproductive Health Concerns
These include infectious diseases such as bacterial vaginal infections, risks of uterine tumors, endometriosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome, which can have an impact on health and fertility. There are also pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.
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Lifestyle-Related Health Problems
These include eye complaints like tired eyes and dry eyes. In addition, about 10% of Gen Yers suffer from hearing loss resulting from headphone use and loud noises. Gen Yers are also at risk of "office syndrome", complications resulting from poor sitting postures at work.
Mental Health Issues
Gen Y is the generation that is more focused on perfection and success than previous generations. They also live in an era where people increasingly live in isolation, leading to even more stress and anxiety, which in turn affects their sleep quality. Not getting enough sleep puts one at further risk for diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke.
Many Gen Yers are proactive and health-conscious. A 2022 Health and Nutrition Survey found that about 1 in 3 Gen Yers use exercise apps, which is more than any other generation. In general, Gen Yers can follow these tips to take care of their health and prevent diseases.
✔️ Physical Health Care
Develop heart-healthy habits by exercising regularly. Be aware of your risk of diseases by learning about your family history. Do not smoke and refrain from or reduce alcohol consumption. Maintain good sitting posture and rest your eyes when using computer for long periods. Keep the volume below 60% of maximum on your device.
✔️ Mental Health Care
Learn to manage stress with techniques such as breathing exercises and yoga. Reduce your use of electronic devices outside of work and instead pursue a favorite hobby or meet friends face-to-face.
✔️ Health Check-Ups
See your doctor for an annual health check-up and keep an eye on changes in your body. This can help you detect abnormalities in early stages. Undergo genetic testing if there’s a family history of hereditary diseases to plan for prevention. Getting vaccinated against such diseases as influenza, hepatitis B and 9 types of HPV is also recommended.