Generation Z or Zoomers, typically defined as those born between 1997 and 2012, this demographic group represents the newest generation coming of age in the United States. Since Gen Z was raised in an era of smartphones and constant internet access, their relationship with technology is the most obvious distinction between them and previous generations. It is therefore not unexpected that, out of all generations, Gen Zer’s have the greatest preference for virtual care and that over
to manage their health. While there are numerous advantages to having unprecedented access to information and the convenience of using digital healthcare solutions. However, it can often be a two-edged sword, as it encourages the default practice of
online before consulting a healthcare expert.
Healthcare affordability and coverage
As Gen Z enters adulthood, they begin to form their own political, social, and cultural identities and voice them. According to a 2023 survey,
gun violence and a
lack of affordable healthcare were the most pressing sociopolitical concerns among Generation Zer’s in the United States. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) allows young adults to remain as dependent on their parent’s health coverage until the age of 26. In 2024,
19.3 million Gen Z adults aged between 18 and 25 were covered by an employer-sponsored health insurance plan (ESI). In the coming years, as Gen Z becomes more established in the workforce, those with ESI coverage are more likely to transition from
dependent coverage to policy holder status by enrolling in their own job-based health plan.
Gen Z satisfaction with healthcare
A recent PAN Foundation survey found that Gen Z patients were unhappy with access to treatment through their healthcare plans. They were also more likely than any generation to experience financial challenges due to healthcare costs. Another survey found that Gen Zs were more likely to
distrust their healthcare provider compared to the older generations. The younger generation was also more likely to
delay needed medical care in the United States. Furthermore, only ten percent of young adults graded the U.S. healthcare system as good. From all these findings, one can be certain that Gen Zer's are
dissatisfied with traditional healthcare services and healthcare providers must take note of this if they want to retain Gen Z as patients.
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