Millennials don’t care about their medical care but they want employers to have an active role in their overall health and wellbeing.
It’s going to be a balancing act for advisors to help employers engage millennials in their health plans.
A report by Aon Hewitt found millennials put a lower priority on medical care than other generations. However, they are the most likely to want employers to play an active role in supporting their overall health and wellbeing.
According to the analysis, millennials are the least likely to participate in activities focused on prevention and maintaining or improving physical health compared to other generations.
About half (54 per cent) have had a physical in the last 12 months, compared to 60 per cent of generation X and 73 per cent of baby boomers.
In addition, just 39 per cent say preventive care is one of the most important things to do to stay healthy, compared to 49 per cent of generation X and 69 per cent of baby boomers.
"Given their younger age, most millennials are relatively healthy, so they may not feel a sense of urgency to go to the doctor regularly or eat a well-balanced diet," said Ray Baumruk, employee research leader at Aon Hewitt. "However, the lack of health prevention and maintenance when they're young may lead to greater health risks as they get older. Employers should communicate the importance of participating in health related activities now to avoid serious health issues later in life."
Despite their relative lack of action around prevention, millennials are the most likely generation to embrace support from employers in their overall health and wellbeing. More than half (52 per cent) say "living or working in a healthy environment" is influential to their personal health, compared to 42 per cent of generation X and 35 per cent of baby boomers.
"Employees are increasingly defining well-being to include physical, emotional, financial, and social health, and they will expect their employers to support them in their efforts to be healthy," said Karen Marlo, vice president, National Business Group on Health. "Employers have a unique opportunity to engage and motivate the Millennial generation and they are likely to get the strongest results by demonstrating the benefits of establishing healthy habits and behaviors today, not just tomorrow."
A report by Aon Hewitt found millennials put a lower priority on medical care than other generations. However, they are the most likely to want employers to play an active role in supporting their overall health and wellbeing.
According to the analysis, millennials are the least likely to participate in activities focused on prevention and maintaining or improving physical health compared to other generations.
About half (54 per cent) have had a physical in the last 12 months, compared to 60 per cent of generation X and 73 per cent of baby boomers.
In addition, just 39 per cent say preventive care is one of the most important things to do to stay healthy, compared to 49 per cent of generation X and 69 per cent of baby boomers.
"Given their younger age, most millennials are relatively healthy, so they may not feel a sense of urgency to go to the doctor regularly or eat a well-balanced diet," said Ray Baumruk, employee research leader at Aon Hewitt. "However, the lack of health prevention and maintenance when they're young may lead to greater health risks as they get older. Employers should communicate the importance of participating in health related activities now to avoid serious health issues later in life."
Despite their relative lack of action around prevention, millennials are the most likely generation to embrace support from employers in their overall health and wellbeing. More than half (52 per cent) say "living or working in a healthy environment" is influential to their personal health, compared to 42 per cent of generation X and 35 per cent of baby boomers.
"Employees are increasingly defining well-being to include physical, emotional, financial, and social health, and they will expect their employers to support them in their efforts to be healthy," said Karen Marlo, vice president, National Business Group on Health. "Employers have a unique opportunity to engage and motivate the Millennial generation and they are likely to get the strongest results by demonstrating the benefits of establishing healthy habits and behaviors today, not just tomorrow."
