Baby Boomers and Health - US

Baby Boomers and Health - US

Abstract:
Members of the Boomer generation have benefited from a multitude of medical advances throughout their lives. They were the first generation to benefit from the many vaccines developed in the middle of the 20hth century that reduced the incidence of serious childhood diseases. Subsequently, new medical developments have reduced deaths from cancer, heart disease, and many other serious health conditions.

But science has not been able to guarantee that the process of growing older will be free from illness or disability. As people age, the incidence of health conditions rises, a fact that the Boomer generation is beginning to encounter. While younger Boomers are still generally enjoying good health, older Boomers are reaching the point at which people often confront health problems. In addition, although Boomers are aware of the need to be proactive in maintaining good health, many are not doing so. In 2002, 38% of younger Boomers (aged 35 to 44) and 31% of older Boomers (aged 45 to 54) were current users of some form of tobacco. Most Boomers are overweight and a significant percentage is obese. Most do not get the recommended level of exercise.

As Boomers age, the number of older adults who are vulnerable to health problems will rise considerably. This will stress the nation's healthcare payment and delivery systems. In addition, Boomers will not quietly accept either health problems or problems in getting healthcare. Demand for more resources to meet their healthcare needs and new research into the health problems afflicting them will increase. Although development of some health conditions may be an inevitable part of aging, it is unlikely that Boomers will passively accept this fact. As a result, there is significant opportunity for a range of manufacturers to address Boomer demands and desires.

Table of Contents:

INTRODUCTION AND ABBREVIATIONS 

Introduction 
Other relevant reports 
Definition 
Abbreviations and terms 
Abbreviations 
Terms 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

The size of the baby boom
Boomer women outnumber boomer men 
Most working-age adults get health insurance through employment 
Education influences approach to healthcare
Boomers spend more on entertainment than on healthcare 
Health insurance accounts for largest share of healthcare spending 
Aging boomers will stress the healthcare system 
Lifestyle-related health conditions will affect some boomers 
Boomer women are confronting menopause 
Chronic health conditions are afflicting more boomers 
Businesses will need to respond to boomers' hearing and vision problems 
Boomers enter the age of mortality 
Physicians are the leading source of health information 
Busy boomers sometimes neglect health 
Medications will continue to be important to boomers 

DEMOGRAPHICS OF BABY BOOMERS 

The baby boom population 
Figure 1: U.S. population by generation, 2004
Figure 2: U.S. population by generation, 2004 and 2010 
Graph 1: U.S. population by generation, 2004 
Figure 3: U.S. population by generation and gender, 2004 
Figure 4: U.S. population by age and gender, 2004 
Labor force participation 
Figure 5: Labor force participation of baby boomers, by age, 2003 
Household income 
Figure 6: Median and per capita household income by age of householder, 2002 
Educational attainment 
Figure 7: Educational attainment by generation, 2002 

BOOMERS AND HEALTH INSURANCE, SPENDING AND SERVICES 

Health insurance coverage 
Figure 8: Health insurance coverage by age, 2002 
Graph 2: Health insurance coverage by age, 2002 
Figure 9: Sources of boomers' health insurance coverage, by age, 2002 
Baby boomers and spending on healthcare 
Figure 10: Average spending on major categories by age of reference person, 2002 
Figure 11: Average spending on healthcare by category, by age of reference person, 2002 
Figure 12: Average spending on health insurance by type of supplier, by age of reference person, 2002 
Figure 13: Average spending on medical services by type of care sought, by age of reference person, 2002 
Figure 14: Average spending on drugs, by category, by age of reference person, 2002 
Figure 15: Average spending on medical supplies by product type, by age of reference person, 2002 
Boomers and healthcare services used 
Figure 16: Visits to physicians' offices and hospital outpatient/emergency departments, by age, 2001 
Figure 17: Visits to healthcare professionals, by age, 2001 
Figure 18: Hospital dishcharges, days of care, and average stay, by age, 2001 
Implications for the healthcare industry 

HEALTH CONDITIONS 

Life expectancy 
Figure 19: Life expectancy by age, 2001 
Lifestyle conditions 
Incidence of tobacco usage 
Figure 20: Incidence of tobacco usage, by age, 2002 
Incidence of alcohol usage 
Figure 21: Incidence of Alcohol usage, by age, 2002 
Figure 22: Excessive alcohol consumption in past 30 days, 2002 
Incidence of illicit drug usage 
Figure 23: Incidence of illicit drug usage, 2002 
Incidence of overweight/obesity and physical activity 
Figure 24: Incidence of being overweight/obese, by age and gender, 2001 
Figure 25: Physical activity by age and gender, 2001 
Figure 26: Incidence of physical and social/leisure limitations, by age, 2001 
Births and menopause (reproductive health) 
Figure 27: Births by age of mother, 2002 
Figure 28: Birth rates by age of mother, 2002 
Figure 29: Number and percent of women aged 40 or older who are postmenopausal, 2001 
Incidence of selected health conditions 
Incidence of circulatory diseases 
Figure 30: Incidence of circulatory diseases, by age, 2001 
Incidence of cancer 
Figure 31: Incidence of cancer by type, by age, 2001 
Incidence of respiratory diseases 
Figure 32: Incidence of respiratory diseases, by age, 2001 
Incidence of other diseases 
Figure 33: Incidence of selected other diseases, by age, 2001 
Figure 34: Incidence of migraines, back, or face/jaw pain, by age, 2001 
Incidence of hearing, vision and dental problems 
Figure 35: Incidence of hearing and vision problems and absence of teeth, by age, 2001 
Death rates and causes 
Figure 36: Number of deaths and death rates, by age, 2001 
Figure 37: Death rates* for people aged 35 to 44 and 45 to 54, 1950-2001 
Leading causes of death among boomers 
Figure 38: Leading causes of death for people aged 35 to 44 and 45 to 54, 2001 
Graph 3: Leading causes of death among 34-44 versus 45-54 year olds, 2001 
Implications for boomers and health conditions 

ATTITUDES ABOUT HEALTH ISSUES 

Introduction 
Sources of health information 
Figure 39: Sources of healthcare information for boomers, January-September 2003 
Figure 40: Sources of healthcare information for boomers, by age, January-September 2003 
Figure 41: Sources of healthcare information for boomers, by gender, January-September 2003 
Approach to illness and medical care 
Figure 42: Approach to illness and medical care among boomers, January-September 2003 
Figure 43: Boomers' approach to illness and medical care, by age breaks, January-September 2003 
Figure 44: Boomers' approach to illness and medical care, by gender, January-September 2003 
Opinions about OTC and prescription medications 
Figure 45: Boomers' Opinions about OTC and prescription drugs, January-September 2003 
Figure 46: Boomers' opinions about OTC and prescription drugs, by age breaks, January-September 2003 
Figure 47: Boomers' opinions about OTC and prescription drugs, by gender, January-September 2003 
Summary 

APPENDIX: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 

Consumer Research 
Sampling & Weighting 
Presentation & Definition 
Further Analysis 
Trade Research 
Informal trade research 
Formal trade research 
Desk & Internet Research 
Sources 
Definitions 
Forecasts 

APPENDIX: WHAT IS MINTEL? 

Mintel Publications 
Mintel Services 
Product retrieval 
Retail audits 
Tailored research 
Global New Products Database 
Research Support/Consultancy/MIC 
The Mintel Information Centre (MiC) 
PR Research

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