Hypertension ranks as most prevalent millennial health condition, BCBS says

Anuja Vaidya -

Of the top 10 health conditions among millennials, six are fall into the behavioral health category, according to the Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Index.

The report analyzed the data of 55 million commercially insured millennial Americans ages 21 to 36 in 2017. Prevalence rates are rounded to the nearest tenth of a point.

The prevalence (rate per 100) for the top 10 conditions affecting millennials in 2017 were:

● Hypertension: 8.1 (up 16 percent from 2014)
● Hyperactivity: 6.8 (up 29 percent from 2014)
● High cholesterol: 6.2 (up 12 percent from 2014)
● Tobacco use disorder: 5.6 (up 7 percent from 2014)
● Major depression: 5 (up 31 percent from prevalence in 2014)
● Type 2 diabetes: 2.3 (up 22 percent from 2014)
● Substance use disorder: 2 (up from 10 percent from 2014)
● Alcohol use disorder: 1.5 (up 1 percent from 2014)
● Crohn's disease/Ulcerative colitis: 1 (up 10 percent from 2014)
● Psychotic conditions: 0.9 (up 15 percent from 2014)

The report also shows millennials had higher prevalence for nearly all of the top 10 medical conditions than Gen Xers, when comparing prevalence for millennials aged 34 to 36 in 2017 to prevalence for Gen Xers in 2014, when they were the same age.

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