Drs. Ansari and Davidoff on meeting the health care needs of younger generations

Every generation puts its stamp on the economy, including the way the health care industry delivers its services. As patients and part of the wider workforce, younger generations are demanding health care that is accessible, digital forward, trustworthy, and affordable.

Writing in Harvard Business Review, Maria Ansari, MD, FACC, and Ramin Davidoff, MD, co-CEOs of The Permanente Federation, shared 7 health care innovations that employers and health care leaders should adopt to meet the distinct care needs and expectations of Gen Z and millennials.

“Young people need health care and coverage that works — with no fuss and barriers, just solutions that fit,” wrote the co-CEOs.

Not only do younger generations embrace the use of AI in their daily lives and prefer receiving care virtually more than previous generations, but they also face growing rates of chronic conditions and seek out mental health care more than older adults.

Related health care innovation story: Dr. Ansari on health care’s future amid demographic shifts

The co-CEOs detail solutions that can build a health care system young adults will trust to provide high-quality care throughout their entire lives. The strategies give employers and health care leaders several pathways to delivering care that offers real value for younger populations.

Embrace virtual health care

The co-CEOs encouraged employers and health systems to better connect with younger people by offering the same convenient, intuitive experiences they get with other app- and web-based services. For health care leaders, that means leaning into telehealth tools that better integrate vital communication about medications, results, and appointment bookings with patients’ daily lives.

An example the co-CEOs lift up is the innovative Kaiser Permanente Intelligent Navigator, a patient portal that reimagines the way members in Southern California navigate care by using AI-powered features that safely facilitate appointment bookings and provide a better overall care experience.

Related patient portal story: Transforming the patient navigation experience starts at the digital front door

Enlist AI in improving care

With young adults reporting they use AI more than other adults in tasks like searching for information, the ground is fertile for health care organizations to continue responsibly pursuing AI-based tools that improve care experience and workflows.

The co-CEOs pointed to Kaiser Permanente’s successful systemwide deployment of ambient AI scribes for notetaking during patient visits as a way to create better connections between patients and physicians while also streamlining an administrative task.

Treat mental health as an essential part of health care

Responding to demographic shifts in how mental health is discussed, the co-CEOs shared tactics to better support young adults who are increasingly seeking mental health information and care. These include preventive screenings and innovations that help health care providers reach patients at risk for depression, suicide, and other mental health concerns.

Read the full article, including all 7 of the strategies for building health care to support the next generation, here.