Tired, exhausted – mistakes in the system: the youth is “sick”

The topic of health usually only comes into focus as we get older, so it is not surprising that young people have little interest in this topic, according to current opinion of the general population. But the current “Austrian Health Report” paints a slightly different picture.

Well-being quite poor
Although there is actually less interest among young study participants – more than 1,000 interviews with 40 questions were conducted – this is not because they feel healthier.

While a total of two-thirds (65 percent) of Austrians rate their general health as (very) good, almost 30 percent of the so-called Generation Z (16 to 29 years old in this survey) declare their well-being to be average or even poor.

“Difficulty finding information”
Almost half (see graph below) often feel tired, weak or exhausted. Above all, the availability of information about medical conditions etc. is a problem.

Christina Breil from the Institute for Health Promotion and Prevention explains: “All age groups have difficulty finding, understanding, assessing and applying health information.” More is needed, they say.

Satisfaction with the system decreases
Good news: The GP is still seen as the central point of contact, but many young people only receive information via social media. Instagram, TikTok & Co. however, they usually do not provide accurate information about diseases, medications, treatments, or even preventive care.

For the authors of the IFES study, who conducted the research on behalf of drug manufacturer Sandoz, it is clear: satisfaction with the system is declining because there is too little support for the chronically ill, the less educated and young people. A cry for help to those responsible in government and politics, which will probably no longer be heard.