Survey reveals the downside of constant connectivity
Ready technology access may be a mixed blessing for millennials, according to a new survey from CVS Health.
The second annual Path to Better Health Study from CVS Health indicates millennials have more difficulty meeting new people or making social connections compared to other generations. More than half (53%) of consumers aged 18-34 say they don't know where to meet new people, compared to just 27% of people 65 and older and 35% of those aged 51-64.
Nearly half (48%) of millennials also say they no longer have a desire to be social, compared to just 20% of consumers 65 and older and 35% of those aged 51-64. Correlating survey data suggests this social isolation may be leading to increased problems with mental illness and abuse of alcohol among millennials. Forty-two percent say they struggle or know someone else struggling with mental illness (the highest of all age groups), and 35% cite having had problems or knowing someone who has had problems with alcohol use in the last five years (compared to 26% overall).
Millennials show a greater reliance on digital technologies, including health tools. Sixty-four percent of consumers aged 18-34 feel that being able to monitor their health is very or somewhat important, compared to 52% of those aged 65 and up. About one-third (32%) of millennials receive care for minor illness or injury at non-emergency walk-in clinics, and 14% at their local pharmacies, the highest among all generations for both care settings.
Other highlights from the study include:
• The health goals consumers have today are centered around the top four chronic conditions they or someone in their household are facing: These include obesity and other weight concerns (42%), high blood pressure (40%), mental illness (32%), and diabetes (20%).
• Nearly half of women (47%) say they struggle or have someone in their household struggling with obesity or other weight concerns, compared to just 31% of men. Women (36%) are also more likely to report suffering from or having someone in their household suffering from mental illness, compared to just 23% of men who report the same.
The Path to Better Health Study by CVS Health was conducted in April and May 2019 and included two surveys fielded by Market Measurement. The consumer survey comprised 1,000 participants 18 and older, located throughout the U.S. The survey of 400 providers focused on primary care physicians and specialists with at least two years' experience, and also included nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pharmacists.
The second annual Path to Better Health Study from CVS Health indicates millennials have more difficulty meeting new people or making social connections compared to other generations. More than half (53%) of consumers aged 18-34 say they don't know where to meet new people, compared to just 27% of people 65 and older and 35% of those aged 51-64.
Nearly half (48%) of millennials also say they no longer have a desire to be social, compared to just 20% of consumers 65 and older and 35% of those aged 51-64. Correlating survey data suggests this social isolation may be leading to increased problems with mental illness and abuse of alcohol among millennials. Forty-two percent say they struggle or know someone else struggling with mental illness (the highest of all age groups), and 35% cite having had problems or knowing someone who has had problems with alcohol use in the last five years (compared to 26% overall).
Millennials show a greater reliance on digital technologies, including health tools. Sixty-four percent of consumers aged 18-34 feel that being able to monitor their health is very or somewhat important, compared to 52% of those aged 65 and up. About one-third (32%) of millennials receive care for minor illness or injury at non-emergency walk-in clinics, and 14% at their local pharmacies, the highest among all generations for both care settings.
Other highlights from the study include:
• The health goals consumers have today are centered around the top four chronic conditions they or someone in their household are facing: These include obesity and other weight concerns (42%), high blood pressure (40%), mental illness (32%), and diabetes (20%).
• Nearly half of women (47%) say they struggle or have someone in their household struggling with obesity or other weight concerns, compared to just 31% of men. Women (36%) are also more likely to report suffering from or having someone in their household suffering from mental illness, compared to just 23% of men who report the same.
The Path to Better Health Study by CVS Health was conducted in April and May 2019 and included two surveys fielded by Market Measurement. The consumer survey comprised 1,000 participants 18 and older, located throughout the U.S. The survey of 400 providers focused on primary care physicians and specialists with at least two years' experience, and also included nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pharmacists.