HIV/AIDS Over Age 50
BINGHAMTON, NY - If you think that only younger people are at risk for AIDS, think again. Sandy Kosty, Supervising Public Health Educator for the Broome County Health Department says that more than 10 percent of all new AIDS cases in the United States occur in people over age 50. "In the last few years, new AIDS cases rose faster in middle aged and older people than in people under age 40. While many of these AIDS cases are the result of HIV infection at a younger age, many become infected after age 50."
"It's difficult to determine rates of HIV infection among older adults, as very few persons over age 50 at risk for HIV routinely get tested," said Ms. Kosty. "Most older adults are first diagnosed with HIV at a late stage of infection, when they seek treatment for an HIV-related illness," she added. Cases among older people may be underreported, as HIV symptoms and infections may coincide with other diseases associated with aging and may be overlooked.
"Older persons with AIDS become ill and die more quickly than younger persons," noted Ms. Kosty. "Late diagnosis of the disease, coupled with co-infection with other diseases, may speed the progression of AIDS. Also, new drugs for HIV treatment may interact with medications the older adult is taking to treat pre-existing chronic conditions."
A common misperception in the United States is that older people don't have sex or use drugs. Very few HIV prevention efforts are aimed at people over age 50, and most educational campaigns never feature older adults, making them an invisible at-risk population. "As a result, older people are generally less knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS than younger people and are less aware of how to protect themselves against infection."
Men who have sex with men form the largest group of AIDS cases among adults over age 50, while women comprise a greater percentage of all AIDS cases as age increases. "This is happening for a few reasons," noted Ms. Kosty. "Few Americans over age 50 who are at risk for HIV infection use condoms or get tested for HIV. In addition, doctors and nurses often do not consider HIV to be a risk for their older patients."
There are cultural and generational issues to consider as well. "Older persons may not be comfortable disclosing their sexual behaviors or drug use to others. This can make it difficult to find older adults who are willing to attend support groups," Ms. Kosty said. "Also, older adults may not view condom use as important or necessary, especially in post-menopausal women who need not worry about pregnancy prevention," she added.
Older adults need support and education to ensure that their lives over age 50 are as rewarding and safe as they were when they were younger. Ms. Kosty stressed the importance of prevention programs for older adults, the need to incorporate images and issues in educational campaigns concerning persons over age 50, and the importance of encouraging older adults to be routinely tested for HIV. Likewise, clinicians and service providers for older adults, including care takers and nursing home staff, need to be educated about HIV risk behaviors and symptoms of HIV infection among older adults.
For more information about HIV/AIDS over age 50, and testing, contact the Broome County Health Department at 607.778.2839.
CONTACT:
Sandy Kosty, Network Coordinator,
Broome County Health Department, 607.778.3066
email: skosty
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