The fastest growing segment of people with HIV is over 50. The current infection rate in those over 45 includes 52% of all new infections. By the year 2015 more than half the people living with HIV/AIDS will be over the age of fifty. In Massachusetts, as in the rest of the USA, these numbers encompass both genders and include multi-ethnic populations, disproportionately affecting communities of color and the LGBT community. Patients over fifty years of age are less likely to be tested for HIV. Of equal or greater concern, their symptoms are often masked due to their age related co-morbidities which further complicates both diagnosis and disease management due to age associated disorders. Data are showing more rapid progression of diabetic and cardiovascular diseases in HIV positive patients leading to earlier morbidities and shorter life spans. Among age categories people diagnosed with HIV infection from 2004 to 2006 were age 50 to 59 and 60 years old and older had the highest proportions of concurrent AIDS diagnosis; over 32% of newly diagnosed HIV patients are 45+. Globally, data has begun to be collected from people with HIV in Africa showing that a good percentage of people living with HIV are over the age of 50 (5%-8%). This bears out our assumption that people living with HIV over age 50 is a global phenomenon.” Jim Campbell, President/CEO New England Association On HIV Over Fifty The 10th Annual National Conference on HIV/AIDS & Aging—Prevention, Care & Management In The Aging HIV Population
Posted on: Sat, 27 Sep 2014 02:42:40 +0000
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