Millennials’ is an abused term, misused to the point where it’s often mistaken for just another meaningless buzzword. Unfortunately, many of the claims made about millennial characteristics are simplified, misinterpreted or just plain wrong, which can mean real differences get lost.

Millennials are a huge group of people and most of them aren’t that young anymore. In 2017 the youngest Millennials, defined by the c.15-year birth cohort born 1980-1995, are 22 and the oldest are 37. They’re no longer the ‘up and coming’ generation. However, Millennials rightly attract attention as they’re moving towards their most economically powerful phase. Their tastes and preferences are often still forming but will set the government and business agenda for years to come.

There are some attributes that make Millennials a distinct generation – and these characteristics are likely to stay intrinsic to them over time. Identifying their most important attributes will help us to predict what Millennials will be doing or thinking in the future.

It’s important to distinguish these types of attributes from those held by Millennials simply because they’re at a certain stage in their life, as well as from attributes held by all generations because of world affairs at any one time.

By figuring out the real generational health patterns of Millennials, we can better predict their future health and wellbeing needs – and adapt our agenda to best meet them square on.