Craig Kurtzweil
Patty Starr
Americans Are Getting Sick More Often And Earlier in Life
By Patty Starr, President & CEO, Health Action Council, and Craig Kurtzweil, Chief Data & Analytics Officer, UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual
Employer health benefits costs are rising faster than inflation and wage growth, putting continued pressure on employer‑sponsored plans. According to KFF’s 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey, per‑employee benefit costs increased 6% in 2025, with another 6.5% increase projected for 2026.
New research from the Health Action Council, a nonprofit employer coalition, and UnitedHealthcare show that serious health conditions are appearing earlier in life, particularly among younger employees. The analysis, which analyzed data from more than 225,000 HAC members with UnitedHealthcare plans, found the following:
Health care claims for younger adults are increasing.
While Millennials and Gen Z still have lower overall health care spending than older generations, their claims are rising at a much faster pace. Between 2023 and 2025, their year‑over‑year growth rate was nearly double that of Baby Boomers. At the same time, younger adults are developing chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity earlier in life, visiting emergency rooms more frequently, and engaging with primary care providers less often than any other generation.
Major health events are becoming more common.
Major health events — defined as medical claims exceeding $100,000 annually — are now about twice as common as they were five years ago. Average monthly claims for these events, including heart attacks, strokes, complex surgeries, and high‑cost conditions such as cancer or genetic disorders, have increased nearly 40% since 2020.
Metabolic conditions are driving higher long‑term risk and cost.
Metabolic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure are closely linked to more serious health events over time. Men, in particular, often delay preventive care well into midlife, increasing the likelihood that these conditions go undetected or unmanaged. According to the report, men with metabolic conditions are seven times more likely to experience a heart attack, stroke, or other major health event than men without these conditions. When these events occur, health care spending rises sharply, with claims reaching up to 150% higher for men in their 40s and nearly 160% higher for those over age 65.
What this means for employers
Taken together, these trends show that health issues that once showed up later in life are now affecting employees earlier in their careers, and the financial impact is already being felt in employer health plans.
Here are three steps employers can take:
Design benefits and communications that reflect how younger employees use care, including virtual and digital entry points.
Make primary care easier to access by lowering barriers such as cost, appointment availability, and time away from work.
Encourage preventive care and routine screenings, with a particular focus on men and employees at risk for metabolic conditions.
Data‑driven strategies can help make a meaningful difference. Since 2021, employers participating in Health Action Council initiatives have outperformed the PwC industry trend[1] by more than 12%, resulting in $292 million in paid claims savings. These results underscore the value of identifying risks earlier and supporting employees before health issues become more serious.
To learn more, access the white paper for strategies to help improve workforce health engagement and affordability.
