Study finds worsening health trends in post-1946 generations

A new review of research suggests that people born after 1946 are experiencing worse health earlier in life compared to earlier generations.

The study, which analyzed over 50 UK-based cohort studies involving tens of thousands of participants, describes this pattern as a “generational health drift.” It is most evident in rising rates of obesity and mental health problems, while evidence for diabetes appears in comparisons between Generation X and Baby Boomers. Overall, the findings indicate that more recent generations may spend a larger portion of their lives in poor health.

Researchers note that this trend cannot be fully explained by better diagnosis or improved healthcare systems. The differences remain even in conditions such as obesity, which does not rely on medical diagnosis, and in cases where objective biological markers were used, such as for diabetes.

Mental health comparisons were based on standardized self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression rather than clinical diagnoses, using validated tools designed to ensure consistency across generations.

The research team from University College London, King’s College London, and the University of Oxford examined post–World War II birth cohorts, comparing health outcomes at similar ages across different generations.

Published in the journal *Population Studies*, the review highlights implications for future healthcare planning, as more people are expected to live longer with chronic conditions. It also shows that health has declined despite positive changes such as reduced smoking rates, higher education levels, and improved early-life living conditions.

According to lead author Laura Gimeno, more recent generations appear to experience earlier onset of multiple health problems, especially obesity and mental illness. She suggests that this “drift” indicates that health improvements in society may not be reaching biological limits, but are instead being influenced by preventable social and environmental factors.

The authors warn that this trend could place increasing pressure on healthcare systems and public funding, particularly as populations age. By 2050, around a quarter of the UK population will be over 65, further increasing demand for health and social care.

While life expectancy rose significantly during the 20th century, improvements in healthy life expectancy have slowed since the early 2010s, with some signs of decline due to worsening midlife health.

The review, based on 51 studies using long-term British cohort data (covering births from 1946 to 2002), found little evidence of improved health in later-born generations. Researchers suggest that changing environmental and social risk factors, including “obesogenic” environments, may be contributing to this pattern.

Although the study is limited to British cohort data, similar trends have been observed in other research. The authors conclude that further investigation is needed to understand the specific causes of this generational decline in health.