Image via Wikipediaby Assistant Secretary GreenleeSince 1988, World AIDS Day has been celebrated on December 1 around the world. Over the years, it has become one of the most recognized international health days and a key opportunity to raise awareness and bring attention to prevention and treatment services. Twenty-four percent of people living with HIV nationwide are over the age of 50 and research indicates that by 2015 half of the people living with HIV in the U.S. will be over age 50. On top of that, we now know that fifteen percent of new cases occur among people aged 50 and older.
For these reasons, it is critical that the Aging Services Network participate in activities, including World AIDS Day, to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS among older adults and their caregivers. Aging services providers and HIV care providers must work together to educate older Americans about the prevention of HIV as well as to ensure that the special needs of the older men and women living with HIV can be effectively addressed in an integrated and collaborative fashion.
Please join the Administration on Aging on December 1st in recognizing World AIDS Day.
Many people don't associate aging with AIDS, but they should. As you point out, Twenty-four percent of people living with HIV nationwide are over the age of 50.
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