When you look at the health statistics of millennials, you’ll see an increase in the number of diseases being reported. There are two schools of thought to approach the matter.

One, is that we have more access to information and technology, thus, we are bound to notice diseases and conditions that had not been documented before. The second line of thought is; with the world constantly changing –especially in how we relate, communicate, and generally interact with each other- diseases are changing and morphing into new strains, subsequently, forming novel illnesses.   

Whichever line of thought you subscribe to, it is evident that diseases will only continue to rise among the millennials and younger generations. Albeit, it is worrying to see that the youth are less and less insured medically. According to a study conducted by the United States Census Bureau, millennials are the least covered group in medical insurance.   

Here are some of the reasons why millennials will face graver illnesses than their problems. Moreover, we’ll delve on what you can do to mitigate the situation.  

Sight problems  

 If you’re a millennial reading this, you probably grew up being told not to sit too close to the television. However, with the advancement of technology, you have access to multiple gadgets. Chances are you spend most of the time staring at your phone, iPad, computer, and the myriad other gadgets you have at your disposal. However, many of these gadgets emit damaging blue light that could cause eyesight problems.   

The remedy to blue light is quite simple; reduce the amount of time you spend on your phone. Try and do more activities that don’t require you to look at a screen. If that is hard to achieve, you may also invest in blue-light blocking glasses. You can also download apps that help filter the amount of blue light reaching your eyes.   

Hearing impairment    

For past generations, losing your hearing was a sign of aging. While going deaf is still considered a symptom of growing old, the number of young people experiencing hearing problems is on the rise.

The cause is pretty clear, everywhere you look, you will see millennials with earphones. There’s an upsurge of young people who are choosing to listen to audiobooks, podcasts, and even music. The apps and software to access these platforms are not only on the rise, but they are also a favourite among the youth.     

This constant blasting of sound so close to the ears –mostly through unsafe earphones- is what is causing the millennial generation to suffer from hearing problems. The cure to this too, is quite simple. Minimize the amount of time you spend with earphone plugged in!

If this is not a feasible solution, ensure you buy quality earphones and put the volume at a decent level. It is also advised to visit an ENT doctor every so often.   

 Skin cancer   

In the medical field, cancer is a relatively new disease. Perhaps it has always been there, and we’re only catching up with ways to detect it. Whatever the case, there’s a surge of cancer cases around the globe.

With millennials, one of the most recurring types of cancer is skin cancer. This could be attributed to environmental changes and ecological degradation, as well as lifestyle decisions.

Fortunately, the majority of millennials are obsessed with their skin and looks. Thus, they are more likely to notice signs of skin cancer in the early stages.   

There’s a lot you can do to ensure you’re safe from skin cancer, and most types of cancers. Most of these remedies include changing your lifestyle choices, as well as taking intentional steps to ensure your skin is protected.

Such steps include applying sunscreen and visiting a dermatologist when you notice something is amiss.   

Depression and anxiety   

Everyone seems to be more private. As a result, there are more and more lonely people. To millennials, this lonesome state could sprout an array of issues, top of the pack being depression.

Anxiety is also mounting and millennials are trying to reach an ever-rising standard. When neglected, anxiety and depression can lead to self-harm, isolation, and even suicide.   

To mitigate the number of millennials suffering from depression and anxiety, a new approach is needed. Every young person should be able to express themselves without ridicule and hate from others. Legal action can be taken on trolls and cyber bullies.

Most importantly, we, as a community, need to create a space where everyone is free to express themselves without worrying about what the masses will think.  In this new world, there are untold worries and conditions that could affect the millennials.

On the flip side, however, there are ready solutions in the ever innovative world. It is our job as the community to ensure that each young person has access to the right information and healthcare. Millennials and their health should be an ardent topic; it ensures a brighter tomorrow for the upcoming generations. 

Mayfair we care.

Sources:    https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2016/demo/p60-257.pdf    https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/blue-light-has-a-dark-side    https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/lonely-young-adults-in-  modern-britain-findings-from-an-epidemiological-cohort-  study/2AD2B6E4613435CDF85BC4359DD51A1B    https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/millennials-lonely-depression-anxiety-mental-health-odds-doubling-unemployed-study-a8319686.html    https://www.bustle.com/p/11-weird-signs-of-skin-cancer-that-are-super-hard-to-spot-58551    https://www.techtimes.com/articles/230519/20180618/millennials-are-on-track-to-have-worse-health-problems-than-their-parents-in-the-next-30-years.html    https://www.rd.com/health/wellness/millennials-health-issues/