Health Trends Impacting Millennial Women in The Workplace Today
The millennial generation has been faced with a number of unique professional challenges. While millennial women continue to be a force for progressive changes within the professional world, their needs, interests and concerns have changed greatly from those of past generations. From occupational health concerns to the quality medical coverage sought by today’s millennial professionals, the latest health trends impacting today’s workplace continue to create changes that no professional or employer can afford to ignore.
Workplace flexibility is often cited as a chief concern for millennial workers. As the workforce continues to shift away from the long-term employment opportunities and more rigid career paths of previous generations, health and medical issues continue to pose new challenges.
Different types of health concerns plaguing millennial women today
- A recent survey found a high number of millennials are suffering from depression, anxiety and stress. 28% are on medication while 23% are regularly taking anti-depressants.
- The obesity rate of millennials today is higher compared to the generation before them. Due to the fact they consume junk foods and drink soda more frequently, millennials face higher risks of suffering diabetes, heart problems, difficulty in breathing and hypertension.
- According to millennialmarketing.com, survey from 2006 showed more than 30% of young adults smoke regularly.
- Drinking alcohol. Even during their college days, a great number of millennial women are reported to binge in alcoholic drinks. Sadly, approximately 1700 college students die from too much alcoholic consumption. 6% of young women today drink too much alcohol several times a week.
- Lack of Insurance. While most young women are covered by their parents’ insurance coverage, there are still a great number of millennial women who can’t afford insurance coverage on their own because of low income and vast student loans and other debts.
Health Education is Vital
Millennials have been able to benefit from a better understanding of health and medicine. The past few decades have brought new insights into dietary science, the health benefits of exercise and more effective methods to prevent potentially serious illnesses and medical conditions. Millennial women are increasingly interested in leading a healthier lifestyle, one that will minimise the risks of long-term illness.
Fit, Active and Healthier Lifestyles
Although Millenials may be aware of the benefits of living a healthier lifestyle, modern, busy lives mean that many are still not achieving their health and fitness goals. Individuals obviously have their own part to play, ensuring they eat healthily and making sensible choices with regards to smoking or drinking.
But it is also important to note that companies can also play a more active role in creating workplaces that that encourage a healthy lifestyle among the younger generation. Examples of this are offering flexible working, free gym memberships, free fruit in work or subsidized healthy meals, cycle to work schemes, insurance or tips and information resources on how to lead a healthier lifestyle. After all, having healthy and happy workers is not just good for the individual, but beneficial for the company they work for.
A lot of scary facts here. I do think it holds a lot of truth. I know I for one drink more soda than I need to.
Iknow quite a few Millenials who have a close working knowledge of Klonopin and other major tranqs. It is distressing that they feel so much stress. Thanks for shedding some light on the subject.
It’s not just knowing what to do – it’s also being willing to change the things that don’t work to the things that do work 🙂
This is sad. I am happy companies are starting to offer programs to help. I try to workout on a regular basis and eat right but I definitely need to set better examples for my daughter.
Th for sharing this! It’s so scary to read some, yet we need to know about it. Atleast now, we know what to do to prevent those.
This is interesting. I think of most Millennials as being overly concerned with appearance, so I am surprised about the junk food and soda. We are all under a lot of pressure these days!
I had no idea about the numbers regarding depression, medication use and other health trends affecting millennials. These are statistics that you don’t really see associated with this age group.