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