37 Doctors Say Gen Z Patients Are Bringing A Different Set Of Health Problems Into Their Offices

Key Points:

• Healthcare professionals report a rise in chronic health issues among Gen Z, including obesity, depression, autoimmune and skin problems, and digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome, appearing at younger ages than previous generations.
• Mental health concerns are notably higher in young adults, with depression rates increasing from 16.4% in 2013 to 25.0% in 2023 among those aged 18 to 34, alongside growing sleep problems linked to obesity and depression.
• Increased screen time and sedentary lifestyles contribute to physical ailments such as dry eye syndrome, neck pain resembling that of older adults, spinal disorders, and kidney stones, conditions once uncommon in younger populations.
• Emergency and hospital staff observe more severe cases of infections like urinary tract infections progressing to sepsis in young adults, as well as early onset of serious conditions like clogged arteries requiring bypass surgery and stage IV colon cancer.
• Behavioral and lifestyle factors, including extensive use of technology, poor diet, vaping, and delayed medical care, are implicated in worsening health outcomes, alongside challenges in young patients’ medical literacy and self-care abilities.