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HIV/AIDS and Other STDs among Adults over 50

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Sexuality and Aging

Abstract

Health care providers can no longer afford to regard HIV/AIDS and as a disease of youth and young adulthood. Men and women over the age of 50 account for more than 15% of all new HIV/AIDS cases, and within the next decade, and rates of infection are increasing nearly four times faster among older than young adults. Estimates also indicate that within the next decade, more than half of all people living with HIV/AIDS will be aged 50 and older. The primary means of infection among both older men and women is through sexual contact, followed by IV drug use. Racial disparities are evident as older African-Americans are 12 times, and Latinos are four times, more likely to be diagnosed with HIV/AIDS than Whites. Older adults face increased risk for infection due to misinformation about HIV/AIDS, limited use of condoms, and a decrease in immune system functioning with age. Post menopausal women face additional risk due to thinning of the vaginal lining which makes it easier for the virus to enter the bloodstream. Early symptoms of HIV/AIDS among older adults often include memory loss and confusion, which can be misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s disease or dismissed as “normal” signs of aging. Unfortunately, older adults living with HIV/AIDS suffer greater side- effects from antiviral medications, more severe symptoms from comorbid chronic illnesses, age, and HIV- associated stigma and discrimination, and greater mortality when compared to younger adults with HIV/AIDS. Significant increases in other STD diagnoses among middle-aged and older adults also emerge in relation to Chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, and genital warts. As none currently exist, a significant need exists for age-specific primary prevention programs for HIV/AIDS and other STDs among older adults.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology Department, Pennsylvania State University Berks College, Reading, PA, USA

    Jennifer Hillman

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Appendix

Appendix

Resources for older adults and professionals regarding HIV/AIDS and aging

  • American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)

    601 East Street NW

    Washington, DC 20049

    (202) 434-2260

    AARP has a Social Outreach and Support (SOS) division that provides links to various referral services.

  • Health Watch Information & Promotion Services

    589 Eight Avenue, Sixth Floor

    New York, NY 10018

    voice: (212) 564-7199

    fax: (212) 564-7189

    Offers Community HIV Information/Education for Seniors (CHIEFS): A training for providers to assist them in training seniors to become peer educators, and Seniors & HIV/AIDS: Serving African-Americans Over 50, a training to assist healthcare and social service providers in understanding the needs of African-Americans 50 and over with HIV/AIDS and to integrate service models that promote access to and retention in care.

  • HIV/AIDS in Aging Task Force

    425 East 25th Street

    New York, NY 10010

    (212) 481-7670

    Arranges educational seminars and conferences for health care providers.

  • HIV Wisdom for Older Women.

    Founded by Jane Fowler

    Provides educational presentations, typically by an older woman living with HIV.

  • National AIDS Clearinghouse

    P.O. Box 6003

    Rockville, MD 20850

    1-800-458-5231

    Provides information about local resources and access to free government publications.

  • National AIDS Hotline

    1-800-342-AIDS

    1-800-344-SIDA

    for Spanish 1-800-AIDS-889 (TTY)

    This hotline is manned 24 h a day, 7 days a week. It can provide referrals to local programs and general information about the disease.

  • NAHOF: New England Association of HIV over Fifty

    23 Miner St, Ground floor

    Boston MA 02215

    Offers training and annual conferences

  • New York Association on HIV over Fifty, Inc.

    J. Edward Shaw, Chairperson

    119 West 24th Street

    New York, NY 10011-1913

    (212) 367-1009

  • Seniors in a Gay Environment (SAGE)

    305 7th Avenue, 16th Floor

    New York, NY 10001

    (212) 741-2247

    SAGE offers referral services and HIV/AIDS information primarily to older lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender adults

  • Social Security Administration

    1-800-SSA-1213

    Social Security provides two different disability programs for eligible AIDS patients.

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Hillman, J. (2012). HIV/AIDS and Other STDs among Adults over 50. In: Sexuality and Aging. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3399-6_6

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