The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that people aged 55 and older accounted for 26% of the estimated 1.2 million people living with diagnosed or undiagnosed HIV infection in the United States in 2013. In older adults, HIV is too often diagnosed late in the course of the infection, leading to shorter HIV-to-AIDS intervals. CDC reports that in 2014, 40% of people aged 55 and older were diagnosed with AIDS at the time of HIV diagnosis.
Fast Facts on HIV+ over 50 from the CDC
- Thanks to better treatments, people with HIV are living longer. People aged 50 and over account for an estimated 45% of Americans living with diagnosed HIV.
- People aged 50 and older have the same HIV risk factors as younger people, but may be less aware of their HIV risk factors.
- Older Americans are more likely to receive a diagnosis of HIV infection later in the course of their disease.
And from the National AIDS Institute NAI>:
National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day is a national campaign highlighting the complex issues related to HIV prevention, care and treatment for aging populations in the United States.
Lily&Q’s say…We know we were much younger when we got HIV, but now we are the aging population living with IT! We have seen the epidemic evolve into what it looks like today. Times have changed, stigma has shifted, medicines and treatments are much kinder, yet there are still people 50+ who don’t know they have HIV, and continue putting themselves at risk not realizing it is just that!Anyone of any age, race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion who has ever had un-protected sex of any type should get tested for HIV. Testing is FREE, and knowing the result is PRICELESS!-Do it today so you can be around tomorrow “lov’in on” your Grandkids!