The shifting demographics of the AIDS epidemic demands a new focus to
reach people aged 50 and over who are currently underserved by HIV services,
urged the United Nations agency leading the global HIV/AIDS response.
Out of the estimated global total
of 35.3 million people living with HIV, an average 3.6 million are people aged
50 years or older, according to a new supplement to the 2013 UNAIDS report on the global AIDS epidemic focused on the
issue HIV and aging.
"People 50 years and above
are frequently being missed by HIV services," said Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director. "This is costing
lives."
"Much more attention needs to be given to their specific needs and
to integrating HIV services into other health services which people 50 years
and over may already have access to," added Mr. Sidibé.
The supplement revealed that in high-income countries almost one-third
of people living with HIV are 50 years or older.
The majority of the population where the percentage of adults living
with HIV is 50 years or older, is in low-and middle-income countries, however.
According to the latest figures, some 2.9 million people are in low-and
middle-income countries, more than 10 per cent of people living with HIV.
The "aging" of the HIV epidemic is due to three main factors:
the success of antiretroviral therapy in prolonging the lives of people living
with HIV, decreasing HIV incidence among younger adults shifting the disease
burden to older ages, and that people aged 50 and above are engaging in risk
taking behaviour such as unprotected sex and injecting drug use which are
leading to new HIV infections.
The supplement highlights that HIV prevention services, including HIV
testing, tailored to the needs of people aged 50 and above, are essential and
that these services should also reflect the needs of key populations in this
age group.
The supplement also outlines the importance of timely initiation of
antiretroviral therapy as the immune system weakens with age.
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