Signal 59% of boomers ask doctors about health against 42% of Gen Z; 38% of Gen Z ask social media

Summary

McKinsey points out that many consumers rely on social media rather than medical providers for health and wellness information. In a 2024 McKinsey survey, 59 percent of baby boomers said they turn to their doctors for health information, compared with only 42 percent of Gen Z. Meanwhile, 38 percent of Gen Z said they use social media as a source of health information. The generational split mirrors the wider pattern in which younger consumers adopt digital channels, including large language models, for health questions more readily than older ones. It also connects to the finding that Gen Z tends to be sceptical of social media even while relying on it heavily.