Why Won’t the Boomers Grow Up?

Key Points:

• A 2024 University of Southern California analysis of CDC data reveals a significant increase in sexually transmitted infections among baby boomers, with gonorrhea cases rising fivefold, chlamydia tripling, and syphilis increasing sevenfold between 2012 and 2022.
• Baby boomers are also the fastest-growing demographic for cannabis use, experiencing a 46 percent increase in users from 2021 to 2023, indicating a broader trend of rising risky behaviors in this age group.
• Despite this surge, baby boomers still have lower rates of STDs and marijuana use compared to Gen Z, who exhibit much higher baseline levels; for instance, Gen Z adults are 58 times more likely to report chlamydia infections than boomers.
• The data suggests that while younger generations currently lead in these behaviors, older adults are increasingly engaging in activities traditionally associated with youth, narrowing the generational gap in these health and lifestyle trends.