Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, May 6: A new study reveals that older adults are increasingly acquiring HIV, yet they remain underrepresented in prevention and treatment initiatives, which have traditionally focused on younger populations.
The research, published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity, shows that the prevalence of HIV among older adults is surpassing that of younger individuals. Despite this trend, prevention and treatment campaigns continue to primarily target the youth, leaving the specific needs of those aged 50 and above largely unaddressed. Researchers from Wits University in South Africa, who conducted the study in Kenya and South Africa, emphasized that this gap is contributing to poor awareness and late diagnoses in older populations.
Dr. Luicer Olubayo, a researcher at the Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience (SBIMB), explained, “We often think of HIV as a disease of younger people. It doesn't help that intervention campaigns are mainly targeted at the youth.”
The study further revealed that older adults are less likely to believe they can contract HIV, a misconception that significantly hinders efforts to meet global targets set by UNAIDS. These targets, known as the 95-95-95 goals, aim to ensure that by 2030, 95% of people living with HIV are aware of their status, 95% of those aware are on treatment, and 95% have suppressed viral loads.
F. Xavier Gomez-Olive, Associate Professor at the MRC/Wits-Agincourt Research Unit, noted, "While HIV prevalence among individuals over 50 years of age is similar to or even exceeds that of younger adults, HIV surveys focus on younger individuals, leaving considerable gaps in understanding HIV prevalence, incidence, and treatment outcomes in older populations."
One of the challenges highlighted in the study is the poor uptake of HIV testing among older adults, which delays diagnosis and limits access to timely care. This is further compounded by the stigma surrounding the disease, which affects not only testing but also the mental health and overall well-being of older individuals living with HIV.
To address these issues, the researchers stress the need for targeted interventions that include repeated HIV testing, the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and public awareness campaigns aimed at reducing stigma and preventing HIV infections among older adults.