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Gen Z Health Crisis: Mental Health and Chronic Disease Claims Soar in Canada

  • Rafka Abou-Khalil

    • Summary

    A Sun Life report reveals that Canadian Gen Z health claims for mental health and chronic diseases are rising up to three times faster than other age groups. Driven by digital overload and economic stress, this trend identifies a "wake-up call" for employers to provide better intervention and flexible benefits before Gen Z dominates the workforce by 2030.

    A startling new report released today by Sun Life Financial reveals that Canada’s youngest workforce participants, Gen Z (born 1997–2012), are facing a health crisis that outpaces every other generation. The data shows that drug claims for chronic diseases and mental health disorders are rising two to three times faster among Gen Z than in any other age group.

    As this generation prepares to dominate the Canadian workforce by 2030, these findings are a “wake-up call” for members of this generation, employers and health providers alike.

    A Mental Health Emergency

    Mental health now accounts for over 50% of all long-term disability claims for Gen Z, significantly higher than the 40% average for the general population. For Gen Z women, that number jumps to a staggering 60%.

    The report also highlights a shifting tide in how young men seek help. While women still use mental health therapy twice as much as men, antidepressant claims for Gen Z men grew by 50 per cent between 2021 and 2024, nearly doubling the growth rate of the general population.

    “This generation is coming of age in a world shaped by economic uncertainty, climate anxiety, and digital overload,” says Marie-Chantal Côté, Senior Vice-President at Sun Life Health. “It’s clear that they need more than just a paycheque.”

    The Rise of the “Young Chronic Patient”

    Perhaps most surprising is the surge in physical health complications. Claims for medications to treat diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are growing 2 to 3 times faster among Gen Z than in older cohorts.

    While current rates of chronic disease are still lower than those of people in their 40s and 50s, the speed at which these conditions are appearing in young adults is concerning. If trends continue, Gen Z’ers could face significantly higher rates of severe illness by middle age than previous generations.

    Building Resilience in the Workplace

    The report suggests that sedentary lifestyles and “digital overload” are major contributors to these trends. In response, health advocates are pushing for more flexible benefits, such as virtual care and mental health spending accounts, to meet young Canadians where they are. These accounts allow you to allocate funds for resilience-building expenses that are not covered. This can include gym memberships, fitness equipment, and meditation classes.

    By identifying these trends now, the goal is to intervene early, transforming the workplace from a source of stress into a hub for longevity and resilience.

    “Canadians deserve health solutions that fit their real lives,” Côté adds. “We’re giving them practical tools to support every stage of life, because nothing matters more than protecting your health.”

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