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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

The Body Provides Issue Overview

Recently, the well known HIV Publication The Body published an overview of many of the issues facing older adults living with and at risk for HIV disease. This short, web based publication can give consumers and others a short overview of this emerging issues. The article can be found at: http://www.thebody.com/content/news/art55612.html

SAGE Publishes Report Focusing on Aging and HIV/AIDS

SAGE: Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders recently published a report from their December 2009 Roundtable. The report provides important and substantive information on a variety of issues related to aging and HIV/AIDS, particularly in the GLBT community.

Recent article on Standards of Care for those 50+

A recent article published in Current HIV/AIDS Reports discusses the standards of care when working with adults 50 years and older living with HIV/AIDS. The citation for the article is:

Henry, K. (2009). What Are the Standards of Care for HIV-Positive Patients Aged 50 Years and Older? Current HIV/AIDS Reports, 6,153–161.

New Study Links HIV Infection to Brain Aging

A study just published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases links HIV infection to more rapid decrease in blood flow to the brain. Researchers from Washington University at St. Louis School of Medicine and the University of California, San Diego studied 26 subjects with HIV infection and 25 seronegative subjects. They found "functional brain demands in HIV positive subjects where equivalent to those of HIV negative subjects who were 15-20 years older".

The citation for the article is: Ances, B. M et al (2010). HIV and aging independently affect brain function as measured by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 201, 336-340.

University of Miami Symposium on Aging and HIV Infection

The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and the UM Developmental Center for AIDS Research (D-CFAR) is hosting their 7th annual HIV symposium on March 5, 2010. The topic for this years symposium is Aging and HIV infection. The symposium runs from 8:30 am to 5 pm and registration is required. For more information, call (305) 575-3267 or check the D-CFAR web site http://www.med.miami.edu/dcfar/

Older Adults with HIV: An In-Depth Examination of an Emerging Population

In 2006 the AIDS Community Resource Initiative of America (ACRIA) completed the largest study to date on older adults living with HIV/AIDS. The study know as ROAH (Research on Older Adults with HIV) surveyed nearly 1000 HIV positive individuals in New York City over the age of 50. The results of that study are now available in a full length book edited by Brennen, Karpiak, Shippy & Cantor. The book entitled Older Adults with HIV: An In-Depth Examination of an Emerging Population can be purchased through Nova Sciences. This is an important resource for all interested in aging and HIV/AIDS. Just click the link to the title of the book for information on purchase.

New Publication on Older Adults and HIV knowledge

The following citation was just located as a new publication related to knowledge of older adults about HIV.

Small, L. F. (2010). What Older Adults Know about HIV/AIDS: Lessons from an HIV/AIDS Education Program. Educational Gerontology, 36(1), 26-45.

University of Michigan Research Network on HIV/AIDS and the Elderly

The University of Michigan's, Center on Demography and Aging maintans the Research Network on HIV/AIDS and the Elderly. The site can be found at:
http://agingaidsnet.psc.isr.umich.edu/