Increasing Chronic illnesses in Young People

Writen by Reeda Anindita Rahman

Edited by Vimal Velu

Young people are increasingly being affected by chronic illnesses. They represent the future of our society; therefore, prioritizing their health is essential. The field of medicine has seen large advancements over the past years. Even with the presence of such advancements, chronic illnesses remain a major issue in young people. Hence, why are chronic illnesses so prominent among the younger generation despite improvements in the medical field?

There are several factors that may explain as to why chronic illnesses are so prevalent in younger generations. Firstly, studies have shown that young people (as young as 20 to 30) are affected by chronic illnesses which are usually expected to affect people in their old age. Furthermore, youth are exposed to diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and diabetes now more than ever before, and their surrounding environment plays an important role in this occurrence. 

Among the various factors affecting the notable increase in chronic illnesses is diet. There has been extensive research regarding diet being related to chronic illnesses, and as the healthcare industry grows over the years, so does the food industry. The rise of fast foods in the 20th century has caught the attention of the majority of the population, especially young people. With processed foods being contaminated with chemicals, along with the high cholesterol and sugar content in every meal, it has become one of the biggest risk factors for the sudden surge of chronic illnesses in young people. Fast foods have the tendency to be tasty and somewhat addictive, which attracts the youth; however, they do not contain much nutritional value. As a result, obesity and diabetes are appearing in young people, scarring them with health complications from a small age. 

In addition to dietary habits, mental health influences the health of younger generations. Nowadays, young people are subjected to depression and high stress. Studies have shown that chronic stress leads to high blood pressure, hence increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Additionally,  factors such as academic stress, family problems, and depression all contribute to the high stress levels present in the youth. Several reports have also shown that symptoms of psychological problems in children and teens have increased after the covid-19 pandemic, according to the National Syndromic Surveillance Programme (NSSP), adding to the growing concern surrounding chronic illnesses among the youth today. 

On the contrary, several arguments could be made to prove that chronic illnesses in young people are not just a recent discovery but a part of civilization since ages. The world before did not have access to the healthcare the majority of us have today. Children died of diseases like smallpox, typhus and yellow fever every day, which contributed to the low life expectancy in the 19th century. This was further accelerated by poverty and poor living conditions, paired with the limited development in medicine and hygiene. As a result, patients never found a cure and instead died suffering from said disease. The lack of modern-day technology has also reduced the amount of data regarding the total or approximate number of people affected by chronic illness at different ages. Therefore, the number of patients could be even higher than recorded. 

Studies have also shown that smoking and consuming alcohol have drastically decreased from the 1990s to the present day among young people, in comparison with the early 1900s, where the rate of smokers among young people was much higher. As cigarettes contain many carcinogenic substances, the risk of chronic illnesses through smoking must have been higher among the young people in the past than it is today. 

Family history is often overlooked when a patient is diagnosed with a chronic illness, as genetics do play an important role in the appearance of illnesses. Extensive data has shown that even people that exercised regularly and ate a healthy diet were diagnosed with chronic diseases due to a strong genetic predisposition. Moreover, chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease often run in families for generations.Therefore, the occurrence of these illnesses among young people is not necessarily a recent phenomenon, as genetic predispositions can be inherited from one generation to the next.

Nevertheless, chronic illnesses can have a significant impact on an individual's life and, in some cases, may lead to premature death after prolonged suffering. However, It is very important that we do not lose hope and work on ourselves to reduce the risks of developing  such diseases, regardless of age.