The disquieting news is based on over seven hundred thousand adults surveyed from 1988 to 2018. Notably, all the data were obtained pre-COVID. The academic researchers tried to define whether the deteriorated health was due to physiological factors, environmental effects, and/or behavioral mechanisms.
Morbidity (complication rate) and mortality (death rate) have worsened among late Gen X (born 1965 to 1980) and Gen Y (born 1981 to 2004) people compared to baby boomers (born 1946 to 1964). Are people’s bodies changing in some way, or are environmental changes stressing the population? Most likely both influences are involved and mutually contributory to each other.
Interestingly and appropriately, the research examined risk factors including smoking rates, alcohol consumption, and mental health factors as well as physiological factors using protein (albumen) in the urine as a measurable marker. Mental illness including anxiety, depression, and unhealthy behaviors with excess drinking among middle and young elderly, particularly for whites, was significant.
Life expectancy including healthy life span was already decreasing in America before COVID. The negative trend in the younger age group will have consequences on the nation’s productivity as useful years of work life are transformed into years of needing care by others.
Pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes can result from obesity and the metabolic syndrome described as high blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and body fat. Unfortunately, excess consumption of unhealthy sugar-laden foods has resulted in generations of overweight folks not only in America but also across the world. Late Gen X and Gen Y people were raised on processed foods and exposed to daily hours of screen time. Moreover, collectively they have not been as active physically as former generations.
Adding the economic and environmental stress of a globally competitive world with diminished resources while superimposing these forces on a previously privileged class yields increased morbidity coupled with shorter healthy life spans.
Breaking the cycle will require discipline with people reinforcing each other’s good behaviors. Fortunately, communities are coming together purposefully to encourage activities, modify environments, and implement policies that promote health and wellness.
Understanding the current situation is the first step to making a change.