More young Americans are facing the costs of chronic disease

Lauren Lees, 33, experienced symptoms for years before doctors were able to piece things together. “I was dealing with GI (gastrointestinal) issues and fatigue,” she says. “I came to health out of necessity.” She is among a growing number of young people in the United States dealing with chronic illness.

Before becoming a full-time content creator, Little worked as a therapist and social worker at an eating disorder treatment center. She left because she didn’t have time to go to doctor’s appointments from work. “I think it could have contributed to worsening my symptoms,” she says. It was when her dermatologist referred her to the Mayo Clinic that she began to get answers — she had food allergies, a connective tissue disorder and GI issues.

At the time, Kim was also training as a yoga teacher, and “at that point, my body just kind of gave out,” she says. She now works as a food and wellness developer, helping those with similar conditions with allergy-friendly recipes.

To feel better, she now invests in Pilates classes ($250 a month) and appointments with integrative providers, who combine traditional and alternative medicine. He also pays for tests, lymphatic drainage — a massage technique not covered by health insurance — as well as consultations with nutritionists and dietitians (up to $500 a month). He spends $200 a month on supplements and organic, high-quality food ($600 a month).

Little says spending on wellness is necessary because chronic illness has taught her that without her health, she can’t show up for work, relationships, or everyday life. He describes health as his highest value and says investing in it is what he does because he “has no other choice.”

Lauren Kim, 33, content creator. Courtesy of Justin Burchel/Manuscript via REUTERS

Lauren Kim, 33, content creator. Courtesy of Justin Burchel/Manuscript via REUTERS

A broad trend