Everybody's Doing It: "STDs Are Timeless" Ad Aimed at Seniors Burns Up on Social Media

Miami is a city where people come to let their freak flag fly — whether partying on South Beach or, apparently, having sex atop wooden elephants during pre-Art Basel. It's a place that embraces the wild and free spirit of all ages, with an extra nod to the older crowd, thanks to its thriving retiree and assisted-living communities.

In Miami, age is just a number, and the older you get, the younger you seem to feel or even look, thanks to the powers of cosmetic pros like Dr. Miami. But while the city's vibrant energy welcomes everyone, it also comes with responsibilities — and challenges. Yes, even grandma and grandpa aren't off the hook when it comes to keeping their sexcapades safe.

This week, a Reddit post thrust those challenges into the spotlight, sparking conversation and raising awareness about one of Miami's most unexpected realities. User peterpan3333 (very fitting) shared a photo of a local billboard that reads, "STDs are Timeless," alongside an image of a silver-foxed couple sharing a kiss. Their caption on the post? "This is so confusing, yet so Miami at the same time." The thread has quickly become a mix of humor and hard truths about aging, sexual health, and Miami's signature extra-ness.

The Reddit Reactions: Humor Meets Reality

Redditors didn't hold back when discussing the implications of the ad — and some comments are both brutally honest and oddly educational. One user comments, "Nursing homes are rampant with STDs. Good for Grandpa, but also wtf?" Another shares, "The elderly are a fast-growing group of new cases of STDs. They think they can't get them as they are older and, as such, don't practice safe sex or do regular testing. They can also be quite promiscuous. You'd be shocked to know what goes on in nursing homes."

Some reactions lean toward disbelief and dark humor, with one person writing, "I thought this was an ad in GTA (Grand Theft Auto)," while another reflects on their research into elder-focused businesses, saying, "When I was researching new business ventures in 2017, I looked into abuelo daycares. I learned that they get a lot of STDs. What the fuck, abuelo? Wrap that shit."

And, in a comment that perfectly encapsulates Miami's unique reputation, someone sums it up: "If this was Miami accurate, the guy would be on a yacht with a very younger woman."

The thread is a chaotic mix of humor and truth, highlighting the need for more conversation around sexual health for Miami's older population.

This is so confusing yet so Miami at the same time…
byu/peterpan33333 inMiami

The Serious Side of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), a Los Angeles-based nonprofit and the largest provider of HIV/AIDS medical care in the world, according to its website, is behind the campaign. It has ads in 15 cities nationwide where AHF offers free STD testing and treatment, including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle.

Dr. Cassandre Milien, a clinical coordinator at St. Thomas University, has studied sexually transmitted infections in older adults extensively. In her 2024 research, Milien found that STI rates among adults aged 55 and older have more than doubled over the past decade, making them the second-largest group affected after young adults.

"Miami-Dade County has seen a measurable increase in STI diagnoses [HIV and AIDS] among older adults aged 60-plus over the years," Milien tells New Times after the paper emailed her statistics. "Although the total numbers fluctuate yearly, there is evidence of steady diagnoses, which signal that the problem persists among older adults in Miami-Dade County."

Milien's findings highlight that "the increase in STI rates among older adults is tied to several factors." Many older adults mistakenly believe they are no longer at risk for STIs after menopause or because pregnancy is no longer a concern. Compounding the problem is a reluctance among healthcare providers to discuss sexual health with older patients, often due to stigma or biases that assume seniors aren't sexually active.

Communal living environments rich in social opportunities tend to elevate the likelihood of sexual activity, Milien adds. "Without awareness, older adults might not recognize STI symptoms or seek testing. They may attribute symptoms to aging or other health conditions, leading to delayed diagnosis, worsening health outcomes, and a higher likelihood of unknowingly transmitting infections."

Her study implemented a simple intervention: A 45-minute training session for primary care providers on STI screening. The results? STI screening rates among adults jumped from 2 percent to 10 percent within eight weeks, implying that better provider education can lead to meaningful change.

"When providers initiate these conversations, patients are more likely to take preventative measures," Milien notes in the study.

To gain further insight into her findings and recommendations, New Times reached out to Milien and is currently awaiting her response.

Close to Home: Miami-Dade Statistics

New Times reached out to the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County to obtain current information on STDs among older adults in the county. The department indicated that the most recent data available was from 2022. However, they did not have the 2022 data on hand and requested it from the Epicenter Department. In the meantime, they directed New Times to a 2018 HIV/AIDS fact sheet on older adults in Miami-Dade County.

According to the 2018 fact sheet, 55 percent of people living with diagnosed HIV in Miami-Dade County were aged 50 or older, representing 15,480 individuals. Older adults accounted for 22 percent of new HIV diagnoses in the county that year, with Hispanics making up the largest group among new cases. The data also emphasized the importance of prevention tools like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a daily pill that reduces the risk of acquiring HIV by more than 90 percent when taken consistently. PrEP is especially vital for those at higher risk, but it does not prevent other STDs, making condom use and regular testing equally important.

While the Florida Department of Health and other organizations like Test Miami aim to provide HIV testing and prevention resources, experts agree that the lack of comprehensive sexual health education for older adults remains a significant barrier.

As one Reddit user put it: "Older people have sex, and they can still get STDs."

Miami is a city that thrives on its diversity, energy, and inclusivity. Addressing the unique health needs of its aging population can ensure that everyone can enjoy the city's vibrancy responsibly. From better provider education to targeted health campaigns, there's work to be done — but the potential for progress is clear. As that one Redditor jokes, "I'm all boned up over here," let's make sure Miami's older adults are too — but in a safe, informed way.