The comprehensive analysis of the “Vitality in America” study, commissioned by The Cigna Group, reveals crucial insights into the state of vitality among Generation Z and other American adults.

This study, conducted in June 2023, surveyed 10,000 adults and used the Evernorth Vitality Index (EVI) to measure health and well-being across eight dimensions: emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual.

Generation Z’s Vitality Metrics

Mental Health Challenges and Financial Insecurity:

• Gen Z’s vitality is notably lower than other generations, influenced significantly by mental health challenges and financial insecurity.
• Loneliness, workplace dissatisfaction, and negative impacts of social media are more pronounced among Gen Z​​.

Shifts in Health Dimensions:

• Physical, emotional, and financial health have witnessed downward shifts.
• A decrease in the ability to manage emotions, support oneself financially, and prioritize physical health is observed​​.

Social and Intellectual Well-being:

Compared to older generations, Gen Z shows lower levels of physical, social, intellectual, emotional, and environmental well-being​​.

Key Performance Indicators and Worker Vitality

Impact on Health Benefits:

High vitality workers are healthier, more engaged, and utilize health benefits more effectively.
They exhibit positive traits like energy, enthusiasm, and capability at work, which translates to better job performance and satisfaction​​.

Relationship with Managers:

High vitality workers report stronger relationships with their managers, feeling more understood and encouraged.
These workers are more likely to consider job changes despite job satisfaction, highlighting a need for retention strategies​​.

Stress Factors:

Finances and work are primary stressors, with low vitality workers experiencing these more intensely.
Low vitality workers face greater financial stress and loneliness, impacting their overall well-being​​.

Health Insurance Literacy:

High vitality workers show significantly higher health insurance literacy, understanding terms, and making informed choices better than their low vitality counterparts​​.

Demographic Insights

Race and Ethnicity:

Black adults show higher average vitality than whites and Hispanics.
High vitality Black adults are more likely to be married, have higher income, and better health literacy​​.

LGBTQ+ Community:

LGBTQ+ adults continue to have lower levels of vitality but are stable since 2022, with resilience and loneliness improving slightly​​.

Social Needs and Community Impact:

Adults in areas with high social needs generally have lower vitality, but high vitality individuals in these areas show stronger social connections and family support​​.

Conclusion

The study underscores the multifaceted nature of vitality, influenced by a range of factors from mental health to social and financial stability. For Generation Z, mental health and financial concerns are particularly influential. Employers benefit from fostering high vitality among workers, as it correlates with better performance, job satisfaction, and health outcomes.