HIV and AIDS in Older Adults

As study in the October 2008 issue of AIDS Care discusses the growing number of older Americans with HIV or AIDS. According to the National Institute of Health, cumulative estimated number of HIV/AIDS cases in the US for ages 50-54 was 56,950. Furthermore, the number of newly-infected persons 65 years and older has grown considerably in the last ten years. Unfortunately, surveys indicate that the attitudes and knowledge of older Americans concerning HIV/AIDS tends to be poorer than younger adults. This may be due to the lack of prevention programs geared towards older persons and physician discomfort levels in discussing sexuality with older patients. While it is important to attribute this longevity to the emergence of highly active antiretroviral therapy, consideration must also be made for the mental well-being of this cohort, as evidenced by the effectiveness of antiretroviral chemotherapy and the prevalence of depressive disorders unique to older populations. The unique co-morbidity of clinical depression and HIV/AIDS presents unique challenges to the physician and other healthcare providers. The NIH awarded $1.6 million to the University of Ohio Health Psychology Program in 2006 to examine how older Americans are coping with HIV/AIDS.

Click here for the abstract.