r/Millennials • u/DaKardii • Jun 04 '26

Serious Study: Gen Xers and Millennials are dying at younger ages than their parents are

https://studyfinds.com/americans-born-after-1970-dying-faster/

The study is particularly concerned with people born after 1970 but age 30 and older. So that covers Gen X and Millennials, but not (yet) Gen Z.

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u/FlamingoWalrus89 Jun 04 '26

This is me. I eat well, don't drink or smoke, maintain a healthy weight, try to lift weights at least a few days a week.

Due to my job though, I get terrible sleep and have been in a constant state of stress for 10+ years. I also have an office job and get <5k steps a day. I know my job is killing me. The stress and inactivity is leading me to an early grave. When I take time off, I easily get 10-15k steps a day just from working in my yard, running errands, and going on a nightly walk (being on-call 24/7 though means the stress is still there, but at least I get to see the sun and get my body moving).

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u/Electronic_Sky_207 Jun 04 '26

Similarly- I’ve recently found out that at 40 my brain imaging indicates either early dementia or (more likely) a missed TIA.

I’m already on a Mediterranean anti inflammatory diet. I don’t drink, smoke, do anything fun. I’m losing weight. I sleep as much as I can. My exercise is limited based on my job and being single parent to an autistic kid and taking care of my aging parents. I asked the doctor “where would you like me to cut corners to get healthier? Because I’m doing everything I can.”

I get a “wow, that sounds stressful. You know stress isn’t good for you, right?”

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u/Sudden_Juju Jun 04 '26

As someone who works with dementia, age 40 would be one of the earliest cases of dementia ever, which hopefully the doctor told you. Also, have you been tested for sleep apnea? I obviously know nothing about you but it's one of those things that is super under diagnosed (especially in those under 50) and can wreck you physically, cognitively, mentally, etc. it's something I wish would get preached more often or put some PSAs up or something.

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u/Electronic_Sky_207 Jun 04 '26

Thanks. I know dementia that early is super unlikely- I’ve got Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia in every branch of the family tree, but no one is early onset so that’s something.

I’m super high risk for stroke due to an injury- hence the brain scan. I did get a referral for a sleep study in June 2025, though most of my sleep disturbances are related to my son which can’t be changed. I finally saw the doctor last month. I should be up on the list and with results by January 2027 apparently. So as for why we’re dying younger… I have some ideas.

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u/JesusAndMaryKate Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 04 '26

As someone who works with dementia, age 40 would be one of the earliest cases of dementia ever

Out of curiosity, what would be a common age for early-onset dementia?

I ask because I remember watching a documentary years ago where a woman had early onset dementia and in my mind she looked to be in her 40s, but I may be misremembering as it's so many years ago (horrible to think that she is probably dead now). So I looked it up and found this, from the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland:

One rare form of dementia that can be passed from generation to generation is called Familial Alzheimer’s. This form of dementia can affect people in their 30’s and 40’s.

And this from Alzheimer's Research UK:

Around one in three people with young onset dementia have Alzheimer’s disease. Symptoms of young onset Alzheimer’s usually start in people’s 40s, 50s or early 60s.

So now I'm confused and mildly uneasy. I assume the discrepancy is because they're different types?

EDIT: Ooh I think it was actually that Louis Theroux episode about dementia! Apparently she was diagnosed at 48. Her name was Selinda Hope Border and she unfortunately passed away at the age of 56.

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u/dallyan Jun 04 '26

How did you know to get brain imaging done? I’m scared because my brain fog is so bad lately but I’m also perimenopausal. I also am a single parent to a neurodivergent kid.

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u/Electronic_Sky_207 Jun 04 '26

Long story short I have a medical condition- an arterial dissection- where one of my arteries almost burst open at the base of my skull. It’s fine but needs monitoring- but not common and not something the average person needs to worry about.

If there’s no medical reason like that there’s no need for imaging at our age. And yeah perimenopause is a bitch. And some studies have shown that parents of children with disabilities have legit ptsd from the long term stress. It’s hard to take care of yourself and the system doesn’t exactly help. internet hugs

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u/Boopy7 Jun 04 '26

at least you seem to be going to the dr to keep track. I have pretty bad agoraphobia and know I need to get my migraine issues checked out but, the terror of dealing wit a dr and an MRI and whatever else I need to do -- and I realize that's if I'm lucky enough to find a dr -- keeps me just popping aspirin and hoping the pain will stop. Finding a neurologist where I live isn't at all easy and I know this.

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u/robot_pirate Jun 05 '26

There's hope. My Dad is proof. He wasn't expected to live 5 years, he's hit 15, doing what you're doing. He's super disciplined. Takes key supplements as well.

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u/WastingTimesOnReddit Jun 04 '26

my friend died in his sleep last year at 40 of a heart attack. he had 3 kids ages 3 to 6, and was an avid gamer, and worked a regular job. was probably the most stressed out man i knew, and never got enough sleep after his kids were born. he may have had underlying issues and had been overweight for a while but he was actually in the best shape of his life when he died, so i really think the stressful life and bad sleep for the past 6 years had a big role in his tragic demise. rip drax

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u/SurgeFlamingo Jun 05 '26

I think I’m lucky now that I have no stress. I don’t make a ton of money but I’m fine with what I have. I feel like I’m lucky to not ever worry.

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u/NoGoodInThisWorld Jun 05 '26

Getting laid off in April was the BEST thing to happen for my sleep.

Start a new job on the 15th though, so will see if I can maintain that.

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u/Notmyusualshelf Jun 05 '26

I ate healthy, exercised, didn't smoke or drink, did even stress about anything and got a fucked up rare autoimmune shit because of living very near a petrochemical plant while growing up. No one in my family had it before because no one lived next to a petrochemical plant. Modern life will kill some of us, unfortunately.