Issue 27 September 2011
HIVUpdate Contents 1 2 3 3
Ageing with HIV 50 Plus – experiences of older people living with HIV Older and wiser A doctor’s perspective
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People at IPPF: Shalina Azhar News in brief New publications Events and key dates
Ageing with HIV
More information on IPPF’s growing campaign is available at http://bit.ly/criminalization.
As people living with HIV grow older, they will have a unique set of clinical and psychosocial needs that need to be addressed in a more sustained and systematic manner. In the United Kingdom a recent study specifically investigated the needs, concerns and characteristics of people aged 50 and over who are living with HIV. Beyond health-related issues, the research under taken by Terence Higgins Trust highlights a number of other challenges including financial and social wellbeing (see page 2) that all HIV responses should increasingly take into consideration. Many questions related to how older age affects the natural
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With increasing availability and options of effective antiretroviral treatment, people living with HIV are living longer and the population of people who are HIV positive is steadily growing older. Ageing is an inevitable process for us all, but what are the consequences of long-term HIV infection and treatment? The face of HIV has altered dramatically over the past decade. A combination of earlier diagnosis, ART treatment adherence, and awareness of healthier lifestyle options translates into a drastically increased life expectancy for many people living with HIV. Globally, many people have now been living with the virus for over twenty years – some because they were born with HIV and others because they are long term survivors of the epidemic. This unchartered territory raises many new and important issues about how long-term HIV infection and treatment affects the natural ageing process.
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progression of HIV infection and the body’s response to long term treatment still remain unanswered. Clinicians and health practitioners are increasingly confronted by additional issues – from managing the expected and routine issues facing the over 50s living with HIV to dealing with some of the consequences of long term ART use and resistance. It is clear that both providers and clients are entering a new phase in holistic health for people living with HIV. Dr. Ashraf Grimwood, a leading HIV clinician in South Africa provides his perspective on some of the key clinical considerations on ageing and HIV (see page
The Commonwealth comprises 30 per cent of the world’s population, yet over 60 per cent of all people living with HIV reside in these countries. In many of the countries within the Commonwealth punitive laws exist that criminalize HIV transmission, sex work, drug use or same-sex sexual acts that block effective and human rights-based responses to the epidemic. While some countries have introduced new HIV-specific legislation, many others have existing laws which are relics from the past. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting provides an impetus to repeal these laws and create a protective and enabling environment for a more effective HIV response.
3), while Rachel Albone from HelpAge International gives her perspective on the ways to further support older people living with HIV (see page 3). As more people are living longer and healthier lives with HIV, IPPF Member Associations will have to find creative and innovative ways of meeting their sexual and reproductive health needs – from providing additional psycho-social support; strengthened integration with other health and care services for older adults to forging new partnerships with organizations specifically working with older adults. Love Kevin