Health and Longevity Not So Much a Reality for Generation X
New MDVIP Survey Captures Sentiment of Gen Xers and Baby Boomers on
Aging and Life Expectancy
BOCA RATON, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#MDVIP–Generation Xers (Americans aged 36-51) want to live well into old age,
but compared to the Baby Boomers who preceded them, they’re more
overwhelmed, worried and basically slacking when it comes to their
health, according to a new MDVIP
survey released today.
The MDVIP
Health and Longevity Survey reveals that more than half of Gen Xers
(53 percent) want to live past the age of 90, including more than a
quarter wanting to live over 100. However, neglecting their health and
making poor lifestyle choices are setting them up to fall short of
reaching old age.
-
Only half (55 percent) of Gen Xers – versus 72 percent of Boomers –
have had an annual physical exam in the past five years. -
One in three (32 percent) Gen Xers avoid going to the doctor out of
fear of finding something wrong. -
Two out of three Gen Xers admit they could be doing a better job of
exercising regularly (67 percent), eating well (66 percent),
maintaining a healthy weight (63 percent) and managing stress (66
percent).
Meanwhile, the life expectancy for Americans has declined for the first
time in 20 years1. Nearly half of all American adults suffer
from at least one chronic health condition2, and many of
these conditions, such as hypertension, heart disease and diabetes,
could be prevented through lifestyle changes. MDVIP, a national leader
in personalized, preventive healthcare, partnered with Ipsos Public
Affairs to survey Gen Xers and Baby Boomers on their health habits,
views on longevity and expectations of aging.
“The MDVIP
survey findings serve as a wake-up call for Gen Xers, who could be
heading down a path to live shorter lifespans with more chronic disease
than the generations before them,” said Dr. Andrea Klemes, Chief Medical
Officer of MDVIP. “The good news is that people in their 30s, 40s and
early 50s can change the course of both their current and future health.
Getting screened, understanding their risks and making even simple
lifestyle changes today can have a significant impact on the quality and
length of their lives.”
Sandwich Generation
Wedged between the Baby Boomers and Millennials, Gen X is often
described as the “sandwich generation.” Many are juggling demanding
careers while caring for children as well as aging parents. This leaves
little time for Gen Xers to prioritize their own health.
-
Looking ahead 20 years from now, Gen Xers expect to be working (46
percent), caring for their parents (22 percent), caring for
grandchildren (35 percent), and even supporting adult children (14
percent). -
Half (50 percent) of Gen Xers expect that they will have to help
family members pay for healthcare costs.
Prevention Paradox
The majority of Gen Xers believe their lifestyle choices play an equal
(66 percent) or greater (20 percent) role than genetics in their health
and how long they live. Yet, Gen Xers are less likely to take preventive
health measures compared to their Boomer counterparts. Only 40 percent
of Gen Xers – versus 55 percent of Boomers – are getting the recommended
screening tests for timely disease detection.
Fear Factor
Gen Xers share a range of fears about aging, with more than half (56
percent) saying they’re afraid of getting old, and 70 percent thinking
about their own mortality more now than they did 10 years ago.
-
When it comes to aging, Gen Xers are more worried than Boomers about
loneliness (19 percent versus 15 percent, respectively), looking older
(12 percent versus 6 percent), and having less sex (10 percent versus
5 percent). -
Gen Xers are most anxious about dementia, losing independence and
declining physical abilities. -
Three out of four (74 percent) Gen Xers are worried about having
enough money to cover health expenses during retirement, and 68
percent of Gen Xers are concerned that the quality of healthcare will
diminish over the next 10 years.
“Innovative models of healthcare like MDVIP that are focused on
prevention play an important role in helping reverse the negative trends
in Americans’ health and longevity,” said Bret Jorgensen, Chairman and
CEO of MDVIP. “Whether you’re a Gen Xer who wants to get ahead of your
health or a Boomer who may be managing a chronic illness,
MDVIP-affiliated physicians partner with patients and provide
personalized wellness coaching and tools to help them lead healthier
lives. Published data has shown that our doctors are performing more
recommended preventive care and more effectively managing chronic
conditions – proof that our model works.”
About the Survey
The MDVIP
Health and Longevity Survey was conducted November 15 – 21, 2016 by
Ipsos Public Affairs, a non-partisan, objective, survey-based research
firm. For the survey, a sample of 1,377 U.S. adults between the ages of
36 and 51 (Gen Xers) was interviewed online, in English. An additional
sample of 1,747 U.S. adults between the ages of 52 and 70 (Boomers) was
also interviewed using the same methodology. The precision of Ipsos
online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the
poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.0 percentage points
for all Gen Xers surveyed, and a credibility interval of plus or minus
2.7 percentage points for all Boomers surveyed. Statistical margins of
error are not applicable to online polls. All sample surveys and polls
may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to,
coverage error and measurement error. Where figures do not sum to 100,
this is due to the effects of rounding. For more information about Ipsos
online polling methodology, please visit http://goo.gl/yJBkuf.
About MDVIP
MDVIP, Inc. is the market leader in retainer-based medicine with a
national network of more than 900 primary care physicians focused on
prevention and personalized healthcare. With over a quarter million
patients across the United States, MDVIP is at the forefront of
consumer-directed care. MDVIP-affiliated physicians limit the size of
their practices in order to invest the time needed to provide patients
with highly individualized service and attention, including a
comprehensive annual preventive care program and customized wellness
plan. Published clinical results show that the MDVIP model saves
millions of dollars in cost to the healthcare system through reduced
hospitalizations and readmissions. For more information, visit MDVIP on
our website,
Facebook,
Twitter,
YouTube,
Blog
or visit MDVIP’s press
room.
1. Mortality in the United States, 2015. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention website. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db267.htm.
Accessed on January 5, 2017.
2. Chronic Disease Overview. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
website. https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/overview/index.htm.
Accessed on January 5, 2017.
Contacts
MDVIP
Nancy Udell, 561-310-5455
nudell@mdvip.com
or
LK
Communications
Leslie Monreal-Feil, 954-401-9931
lesliejmonreal@gmail.com
or
Spectrum
Science
Amanda Sellers, 202-587-2597
asellers@spectrumscience.com
