The number of persons aged 50 years and older living with HIV/AIDS has been
increasing in recent years. This increase is partly due to highly active
antiretroviral therapy (HAART), which has made it possible for many HIV-infected
persons to live longer, and partly due to newly diagnosed infections in persons
over the age of 50. As the US population continues to age, it is important to be
aware of specific challenges faced by older Americans and to ensure that they
get information and services to help protect them from infection.
THE NUMBERS
HIV/AIDS in 2005 (based on data from 33 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting)
Persons aged 50 and older
accounted for
- 15% of new HIV/AIDS diagnoses [1]
- 24% of persons living with HIV/AIDS (increased from 17% in 2001) [1]
Additionally, in 2005, there were racial/ethnic disparities in HIV/AIDS diagnoses among persons 50 years of age and older. The rates of HIV/AIDS among persons 50 and older were 12 times as high among blacks (51.7/100,000) and 5 times as high among Hispanics (21.4/100,000) compared with whites (4.2/100,000) [2].
AIDS in 2005
Persons aged 50 years and older accounted for
- 19% of all AIDS diagnoses [1]
- 29% of persons living with AIDS [1]
- 35% of all deaths of persons with AIDS [1].
Estimated Numbers of Cases of
HIV/AIDS, by Age—2005
Based on data from
33 states with long-term, confidential
name-based HIV reporting.
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