Aging and HIV Conference Scheduled

The 2nd International Workshop on HIV and Aging has been scheduled for October, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. Abstracts are due September of 2011. For more information, go to:
http://www.conferencealerts.com/seeconf.mv?q=ca1im80x

Spanish Study Examins Aging and HIV

In the most recent issue of AIDS Reviews, Blanco and colleagues discuss a variety of the issues facing older adults living with HIV/AIDS. While the full article is not available due to copyright issues, the abstract can be found at:
http://www.aidsreviews.com/resumen.asp?id=1120&indice=2010124&u=unp

HIV Stigma Is Alive and Well

Despite wonderful advances in the clinical treatment of HIV disease, HIV stigma remains a serious problem. Recently the story of Rev. Dr. Robert Franke and his eviction from an Arkansas assisted living facility due to his HIV status has made the news. Standing Up To Stigma is a short video documentary of his story. Dr. Franke discusses his concerns about the impact of such behaviors for other older adults who may be less vocal self advocates.

Study Examins Aging and HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa

While much of the literature we read on aging and HIV/AIDS is centered in the United States, the pattern of longer survival exists in other geographical areas throughout the world. In the most recent issue of the World Health Organization Bulletin, Negin and Cummings publish a study on aging and HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. Their findings suggest that in 2007, more than 3 million people age 50 years or older were living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. The full report can be found in PDF format through the WHO Bulletin http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/88/11/10-076349.pdf.

Health and Well-being Among Older Gay Men in Australia

In a recently published study, Anthony Lyons and colleagues from La Trobe University studies 693 HIV positive gay men in Australia. They compaired older and younger subjects and found while the older men had more comorbid conditions (other diseases), they found other areas of coping to be very positive for the older group. Copyright laws prevent making the full study available, but the article "Ageing with HIV: Health and psychosocial well-being of older gay men" was recently published in AIDS Care: 22(10), 1236-1244.

Attend the White House Meeting on Aging and HIV

On October 27, 2010 the White House's Office of National AIDS Policy sponsored a half day meeting on the subject of aging and HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the meeting was to raise awareness about people who are aging with HIV or contracting HIV as seniors (>50 years of age); to explore unique clinical manifestations of HIV infection among older adults; to discuss existing services for seniors living with HIV and highlight successes as well as gaps; and to discuss targeted strategies for Federal and non-Federal stakeholders to realize the vision of the President’s National HIV/AIDS Strategy. Now you too can see this historic meeting first hand. The event was video recorded and is available through the ONAP. To see the meeting simply go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCWR60LIljc&feature=player_embedded.

White House to Hold Meeting on Aging and HIV

The White House and the Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) will hold an invitational meeting next Wednesday morning at the White House. The purpose of the meeting to raise awareness about people who are aging with HIV or contracting HIV as seniors(>50 years of age); to explore unique clinical manifestations of HIV infection among older adults; to discuss existing services for seniors living with HIV and highlight successes as well as gaps; and to discuss targeted strategies for federal and non-federal stakeholders to realize the vision of the President’s National HIV/AIDS Strategy. 

Presenters include academics, policy makers, persons living with HIV/AIDS and HIV advocates. A report on the meeting will be posted once I return from DC.

HIV and Premature Aging: A Debate

One of the hot topics in HIV research and advocacy efforts is whether or not HIV disease causes premature aging. Some research suggests there is merit to this position, while other researchers question the validity of this position. A recent article in POZ magazine discusses this important debate. There seems to be no shortage of stories or anecdotal evidence that this may be occurring, but more scientific evidence is needed. If you are interested in the topic of HIV and premature aging you can find the recent article in POZ at http://www.poz.com/articles/hiv_charpa_aging_401_19208.shtml. Additionally two prominent HIV researchers (Martin & Volberding) just published an editorial in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Copyright laws prevent me from posting the full article, but the editorial entitled HIV and Premature Aging: A field still in its infancy can be found in the Annals of Internal Medicine, Vol. 153, No. 7 pp. 477-478.

Aging with HIV: A Gay Man's Guide

The book Aging with HIV: A Gay Man's Guide will be published in December by Oxford University Press. The author, Dr. James Masten, has created a blog that will update you on the book as well as other issues related to this topic. While there is the possibility of some overlap between our blogs, it is better to get information twice than not at all. James and I are in the process of creating cross-links to help keep people better informed. The link to his new blog is http://agingwithhiv.wordpress.com/
Visit his site and check out the contents of his new book.

Aging and HIV Forum in San Francisco

The San Francisco AIDS Foundation will hold a forum/discussion on the topic of aging and HIV/AIDS. The forum will be held on Wednesday, October 13 at 600 The Emarcadero, San Francisco. An announcement for the event can be found at http://www.sfaf.org/hivision/index.html

GMHC Launches 50+ Program

GMHC of New York has initiated a new program in response to the growing number of adults 50 and over impacted by HIV disease. According to their web site the new program called 50+ Life long "strengthens the capacity of existing GMHC services to effectively provide quality HIV prevention and care services to this population". The specifics of the program can be found at:http://www.gmhc.org/protect/hivaids-and-older-adults

New Article Explores Sexual Behavior and STD Prevalence

A recently published article by Onen and colleagues examined sexual behavior and prevalence of STDs in both younger and older adults living with HIV/AIDS. The results of the study appears in a recent issue of AIDS Care. The citation for the study is:

Onen, NF, Shacham, E. & Stamm, K. et al (2010). Comparison of sexual behaviors and STD prevalence among older and younger individuals with HIV infection. AIDS Care, 22(6), 711-717.

September Conferene on Aging and HIV

The New England Association on HIV Over Fifty (NEAHOF) and the New England AIDS Education and Training Center will sponsor a day-long conference on aging and HIV/AIDS entitled "Lots of things come with age: HIV doesn't have to be one of them". The conference will be held on September 17, 2010 at the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum in Boston. A copy of the conference brochure can be found at http://www.hivoverfifty.org/NEAHOF%20Brochure%202010.pdf

New Article on Aging and HIV

A new study on Aging and HIV was recently published in the March-April issue of HIV Clinical Trials. The study conducted by Onen and colleagues examined chronic diseases in populations of older adults with both seropositive and seronegative status. Older, HIV+ adutls had higher rates of some diseases. The abstract of the article can be found at:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20542846?dopt=Abstract

Article Reports on HIV Education of Older Adults

A newly published article reports on an HIV/AIDS education initiative for older adults. In the most recent issue of the Journal of Applied Gerontology the "No one is Immune" initiative is described. The article discusses the initiative and reports on research that assessed HIV knowledge gained by participants through both qualitative and quantitative measures. The full citation is:

Orel, N.A., Steele, C., Watson, W.K & Bunner, B.L. (2010). No one is immune: A community education partnership addressing HIV/AIDS and older adults. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 29(3), 352-370.

Upcoming HIV and Aging Conference in DC

A one day conference on aging and HIV/AIDS entitled "HIV/AIDS Affects Us All" will be held on June 3, 2010 at the Howard University School of Social Work. This one day conference is free and aimed at increasing awareness of the aging of the HIV epidemic and the unique challenges of those living with HIV/AIDS over 50. Contact Courtney Williams of the DC Office on Aging at Courtney.williams@dc.gov for details.

HIV risk in Older Adults Makes Prime Time Series

This post is a bit different today. Typically, I mention a newly released report, article or training on the topic of aging and HIV/AIDS. But today I want to call attention to a prime time series that dealt with the topic of aging and HIV in a very sensitive way. In the final episode of Brothers and Sisters, uncle Saul who is a 72 year old gay man, according to the script, shares his concerns about the potential for HIV infection from a past partner. He recently learned his former partner has been diagnosed with AIDS. He seeks out an HIV test and the staff person specifically discusses the growing number of adults 50 and over at risk for HIV. The issue of HIV testing, stereotypes about risk based solely on age and ageist assumptions are discussed. It was heartening to see a sensitive, accurate portrayal of the issue on a prime time TV series.

New Report on Aging and HIV Released from GMHC

The Gay Men's Health Crisis has just issued a report enitled Gowing Older with the Epidemic: Aging and HIV. According to GMHC the report provides an overview of current knowledge on older adults and HIV. The report underscores the importance of issues such as comorbidities, not yet understood interactions with medications, and the layering of stigma based on HIV status, age, gender, ethnicity and gender orientation and expression. The report can be found at: http://www.gmhc.org/policy-analysis-3

AIDS Researcher Calls for New Paradigm

In a manuscript published in the April 12 edition of Current HIV/AIDS Reports Dr. Amy Justice suggests the aging of HIV requires a new paradigm of care. She posits that the chronic nature of the illness necessitates a method of care that maximizes functional status, minimizes frailty, and prolongs life expectancy. The abstract to the article can be found at:http://www.springerlink.com/content/t84713773m3255w3/

Continuing Education on Aging and HIV

The American Journal of Nursing is offering continuing education entitled Aging with HIV: Clinical Considerations for an Emerging Population. The course provides 2.1 CEU hours. Details can be found in the March 2010 issue of the American Journal of Nursing and at: http://journals.lww.com/ajnonline/Citation/2010/03000/CE_Test_2_1_Hours__Aging_with_HIV__Clinical.22.aspx