Health Trends Among US Baby Boomers

Born during the Cold War, raised in the tumultuous Sixties, and now with many of its members close to retirement, the heart of the so-called ‘‘Baby Boom’’ generation” is now having a profound effect on the US healthcare system. The overall mortality rate for Americans ages 55 to 64 has fallen since 2003, but cancer mortality rates are higher than cardiovascular disease.  On average, today’s Baby Boomer can expect to live another 19 to 27 years; but likely will succumb to multiple chronic health problems – including diabetes, obesity, and hypertension.