Researchers say baby boomers are living longer but are in poorer health than previous generations, and their health is not improving

Researchers from the UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies and the University of Oxford found that people born before or during World War Two were healthier than the ‘baby boomer’ generation that came after them

The results cannot just be explained by people living longer – obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases all seem to be affecting people at younger ages

The study, published in the Journals of Gerontology, found more recently born adults were more likely to have cancer, lung disease, heart problems, diabetes, and high cholesterol as they enter their 50s and 60s

Even with advances in medicine and greater public awareness about healthy living, people born since 1945 are at greater risk of chronic illness and disability than their predecessors

Lead author Laura Gimeno, from UCL’s Centre for Longitudinal Studies, said: “We find that there is a generational health drift, whereby younger generations tend to have worse health than previous generations at the same age

“Even with advances in medicine and greater public awareness about healthy living, people born since 1945 are at greater risk of chronic illness and disability than their predecessors.

“With up to a fifth of the population in high-income western nations now over 65, increasing demands for health and social care will have huge implications on government spending.”

Data on multiple generations of people aged 50 and above were studied for the research, covering England, the US and Europe

Researchers analysed data for more than 100,000 people between 2004 and 2018, looking at doctor-diagnosed chronic illnesses, body mass index, records on mobility issues and disability, grip strength, and high blood pressure

The report’s authors separated people in the study into five groups defined by their birth year

They found increasing rates of chronic disease, especially when comparing people born from 1936 to 1945 and those born from 1955 to 1959

Rates of chronic disease rose across successive generations in all regions, with more recently born adults more likely to have cancer, lung disease, heart problems, diabetes, and high cholesterol than their predecessors at the same age

Despite declining rates of disability for the pre-war generations, chronic disease and increasing obesity may be spilling over into severe disability for the baby boomers

Although the prevalence of diabetes rose at the same rate across all regions, diagnoses of cancer, heart problems and high cholesterol increased the most in England and Europe, with baby boomers being 1.5 times more likely to have these issues than their predecessors at the same age

In another example, grip strength, which is a good measure of overall muscle strength and healthy ageing, decreased across generations in England and the US but either increased or remained constant in Europe

In most regions, post-war generations were just as likely or more likely than their predecessors to report difficulties with tasks such as bathing and eating, walking short distances, and shopping for groceries

Baby boomers in the UK were nearly one-and-a-half times more likely to experience difficulties performing three or more personal care tasks than their earlier-born peers at the same age

If life expectancy remains stable or continues to increase, these worrying trends may see younger generations spending more years in poor health and living with disability

Miss Gimeno said: “Our study finds concerning new evidence that more recently born generations are experiencing worsening health as they enter their later years.

“Despite declining rates of disability for the pre-war generations, chronic disease and increasing obesity may be spilling over into severe disability for the baby boomers.

“If life expectancy remains stable or continues to increase, these worrying trends may see younger generations spending more years in poor health and living with disability.”

Why is this happening?

Although life expectancy is easy to measure, health is more complicated, and a 2023 survey showed that people in the UK felt their health was the worst in the world. Last year, the Oxford Longevity Project revealed the UK had its own Blue Zones —places where there are more than 52 centenarians per 100,000 people. Bournemouth and Bognor Regis were named as two of the longevity hotspots. Still, research from The Health Foundation has pinpointed a 10% difference in life expectancy in deprived and more affluent areas

Toby Watt, lead economist at The Health Foundation’s REAL Centre, said: “In deprived areas, obesity and smoking rates are higher, and there’s more exposure to air pollution, so you see more chronic pain and COPD, a very serious lung condition. It varies hugely, but these illnesses start in the early 60s in the most deprived areas and later – in the early 70s – in the least deprived.”

Speaking about the ‘generational drift,’ Watt points out that while people are taking steps to become healthier in some ways, there is a decline in others.

“Health trends have been going in different directions. For example, smoking is less common now, and pharmaceutical intervention [medications] means you can reduce cholesterol and keep blood pressure low. They’re two really helpful pro-health trends,” he says

“The one that’s going the other way is BMI and the prevalence of obesity, but the reasons for that are extremely complicated. Food environments play a part, with the price of fresh fruit and vegetables rising faster than processed, calorie-dense foods.”

What can you do about it?

The news is not all doom and gloom. The important thing to remember is that it’s never too late to make lifestyle changes, and small changes do help

Get active

This doesn’t have to mean intense exercise at the gym. Regular walking, swimming or even gardening can greatly impact cardiovascular health, joint mobility  and mental wellbeing. Start with ten-minute walks and build up gradually

Eat well

Small, manageable changes to diet can make a real difference, mainly changes like reducing processed foods, increasing fibre intake, and eating more fruits and vegetables. For example, swapping a sugary snack for a handful of nuts or a piece of fruit can be an easy first step

Stop smoking and cut down on alcohol

It’s challenging to do, but it can make a real difference. If you smoke or drink excessively, stopping or reducing these habits can significantly improve your long-term health. Stop smoking support is available through NHS services. Cutting back on alcohol by even a few drinks a week can also make a real difference.” You could try Sober October for inspiration.

Look after your mental health

Many baby boomers are experiencing the stresses of retirement, caring for ageing parents or dealing with health changes. Managing stress and mental wellbeing through mindfulness, talking therapies or simply staying socially active can significantly improve your quality of life

Get frequent health checks

Blood pressure screening can be done at home and is available at your GP surgery and many local pharmacies. If you’re invited for an NHS health check, diabetes screening, or cholesterol testing, take it up. Early detection of potential issues allows us to intervene before they become more serious