Millennials can feel their health is invincible-but stats suggest otherwise
There is definitely something about being young that lends itself to feeling invincible. It’s certainly true of the past and one good reason why the 16-25-year-old’s have traditionally filled the ranks of armies, engaged in the most high-risk activities, which is reflected in the statistics which find that under 25s are the most likely age group to be involved in a fatal car accident.
But times have changed. Despite the daily media coverage of violence and conflict, it’s surprising to learn that globally, while just over 120,00 people die in war or violent crime, 800,000 dies of suicide and over 1.5 million dies of a diabetes-related disease. Based on the evidence it would suggest we are a greater risk to ourselves than any terrorists, and sugar is perhaps the biggest risk of all.
Health problems facing millennials today
For millennials today some of the chronic disease conditions include:
- Allergies occur in 1 in 3
- Asthma occurs 1 in 4
- 1 in 10 have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- and in parts of the USA, 1 in 50 are diagnosed with autism.
- rates of type 2 diabetes have more than doubled amongst children in the last few decades
Mental health is also a serious issue.
- 1 in 5 children aged 13-18 either have or will have a serious mental health problem with 50% beginning by age 14
- Suicide is the third leading cause of death in youth aged 10-24
- Rates of youth with severe depression increased from 5.9% in 2012 to 8.2% in 2015
- Just under 20% of adults 18 years and older (1), in the USA have some form of anxiety disorder
- In adolescents aged 13-18 that number reaches almost 32 % (2)
The incidence of cancer is also on the rise for young and old alike.
- Approximately 1 in 285 children will be diagnosed with cancer before age 20 years, and
- approximately 1 in 530 young adults between the ages of 20 and 39 years is a childhood cancer survivor (3).
- The incidence of cancer has increased by just under 30%, even allowing for an aging population.
Given the statistics, it’s perhaps easy to see why millennials today may not feel as ‘invincible’ as previous generations.
Listen: Dr. Ron Ehrlich interviews Dr. Leila Masson. Post continues after audio.
There are many factors involved as to why these issues are arising, but let’s focus on 3 key areas of concern. All can impact in a positive or negative way on our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
The environmental experiment.
We are now exposed to just over 140,00 commercial chemicals in our food, personal care products, furnishing, clothes, buildings and homes, air and water. Only a small percentage have been tested and even those that have been tested are done in isolation, ignoring the fact that one chemical combined with another poses a significantly greater threat… not to mention hundreds in combination.
Every cell and every nerve depend on microcurrents to function optimally. And yet, we surround ourselves with electromagnetic radiation, with our phones, Wi-Fi and other electronic devices. We are wired 24/7, not just literally to those devices but psychologically. While people may have hundreds of ‘friends’ and be ‘liked’ by thousands it’s not hard to see how isolated, anxious and depressed people can become, particularly the young… Wi-Fi has been classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a class 2B carcinogen, meaning ‘it is a possible carcinogen’.
The good news is by making informed decisions you can reduce chemical exposure by 80-90% and with care, significantly reduce the effect of harmful EMF….. and social media.
Do a tech audit of your life is also important. Turn off all push notifications and re-engage with the world around you. Real meaningful relationships are the best predictor of longevity, health, and wellness
Listen: Dr. Ron Ehrlich interviews Dr. Kjell Tore Hovik. Post continues after audio.
Poor sleep epidemic.
A consistently good night’s sleep builds the physical mental and emotional resilience to deal with the stresses of our modern world. It is estimated at least a third of the population get insufficient sleep. A consistently good night’s sleep is a function of quantity (for adults 7-9 hours; for adolescents 9-11 hours) and quality, (breathing well while asleep). It affects mental health, hormones, blood sugar and much more. Sleep is your own built-in life-support system and without a doubt the most important part of your day.
An overabundance of seemingly cheap food.
I say ‘seemingly cheap’ because when you factor in the health costs its actually very expensive. If ‘you are what you eat’, mentally and physically, and you are unwell, then eat real food, find out what you are sensitive to be well. The gut is the ‘second brain’ and where 80% of the immune system is based
Overall, your health is just too important to leave to anyone else. Our health system has just become a chronic disease management system. A great economic model for the food, pharmaceutical, and health industry. It’s just not a very good health model.
Take control of your own health and be the best you can be. Be Well.
References:
- Harvard Medical School, 2007. National Comorbidity Survey (NCS). (2017, August 21). Retrieved from https://www.hcp.med.harvard.edu/ncs/index.php. Data Table 2: 12-month prevalence DSM-IV/WMH-CIDI disorders by sex and cohort.
- Kessler RC, Chiu WT, Demler O, Merikangas KR, Walters EE. Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of 12-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Arch Gen Psychiatry.2005 Jun;62(6):617-27. PMID: 15939839
- Childhood and Adolescent Cancer Statistics, 2014 Ward eta al. CA Cancer J Clin 2014;64:83-103