Chronic Health Conditions Increasing Among Younger Workforce Populations

Younger generations in employer-sponsored health plans are developing chronic conditions at higher than expected rates, contradicting the traditional assumption that serious health issues primarily affect older adults, according to a recent analysis by the Health Action Council and UnitedHealth Group. Specifically, millennials and Generation Z are experiencing the fastest increases in chronic condition prevalence and health care spending. Gen Z’s health care spending increased 18% year-over-year in the employer-sponsored population analyzed, nearly double the growth rate of baby boomers, despite being decades younger.

UnitedHealth Group internal data was included in the analysis, based on a . . .