Sep 16, 2024
Vitality in America 2024: More people report high vitality
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Vitality is defined as the ability to pursue life with health, strength, and energy, and it can be measured, influenced, and improved. The third annual Vitality in America study, commissioned by The Cigna Group, explores the state of vitality in the United States along with health attitudes, behaviors, social determinants of health, and experiences in health care and at work – as well as how perceptions of these topics have changed and evolved since we first conducted the study in  2022.

Vitality levels in the United States remain stable, with the average vitality score hovering around 67 on a scale of 100 for three consecutive years. Encouragingly, there was a small but significant shift from medium to high vitality, with 1 in 5 people now experiencing high vitality. This shift is linked to more people feeling energized (+3 points from 2022) and alive and vital (+4 points from 2022).

The study is based on surveys with more than 7,500 adults in the United States in collaboration with research partners YouGov and Morning Consult. Let’s look at some of the key health and vitality trends we are seeing this year among the general population.

The vitality of women and young adults remains strained, but positive signs emerge

Since 2022, women have had lower average vitality than men (66.0 vs. 69.0). The disparity, which is also reflected in self-reported overall health and physical health, is starkest in mental health, where 39% of women reported excellent or very good mental health compared with 55% of men.

While perceptions of mental and physical health remain strained among women, the decline seen between 2022 and 2023 did not continue this year. 

Generational trends in vitality levels held in 2024, with Baby Boomers reporting the highest average vitality and Generation Z adults reporting the lowest. However, Gen Z adults indicate positive changes in their autonomy and competence, which are building blocks for motivation and vitality. They're steadily acquiring skills for a healthy life, feeling more in control during stressful times, gaining confidence in health goals, and becoming more optimistic since 2022.

Gen Xers also face challenges, with lower vitality scores than the general population and only slightly higher than Gen Z. Almost 1 in 5 Gen Xers report low vitality. However, one generation has seen a notable positive shift in vitality: More than 1 in 5 Millennials report high vitality, which is on par with Baby Boomers at 22%.

Sleep quality is highly connected to vitality

Healthy lifestyle behaviors – including physical activity, mindful eating, and sleep habits – are consistent between 2022 and 2024 across all age groups.  

Interestingly, the quantity of sleep has remained consistent, with 86% of people reporting getting at least five hours of sleep, although the quality of sleep appears to be declining. In 2024, only 45% said they often or always wake up feeling rested, a significant drop from 53% in 2022.

While the difference in healthy behaviors between people with high vitality and low vitality is significant across all measures, we see a particularly large gap in sleep quality. More than 3 in 4 people with high vitality report waking up feeling well-rested, compared with just 14% of those with low vitality. Sleep is a critical element of overall health. Sleep disturbances and deprivation are linked to depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions and may exacerbate stress and the ability to regulate emotions.

Finances remain the leading cause of stress

Stress is an indicator of an individual’s ability to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors and to feel capable, confident, and connected to others. As seen in previous vitality studies, finances are the leading source of stress for the general population, no matter the person’s vitality level, with 39% reporting frequent stress due to finances during the past month.

As with healthy behaviors, stress levels vary significantly between individuals with low vitality and those with high vitality. However, there is reason for optimism: In 2024, people with low vitality reported feeling slightly less stressed across five common daily stressors than in 2023.

Vitality in America 2024

Vitality in America 2024

Our 2024 report measures eight dimensions of health and the factors that influence them, highlighting various opportunities for improving health outcomes and quality of life. 

Read full report