This article is reprinted by permission from NextAvenue.org.
For over 40 years, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has been one of the world’s most serious public health crises. While significant progress has been made in the treatment and prevention of HIV, there are still many challenges to overcome. One of them is the growing number of HIV patients over 50 years old.
The life expectancy of people with HIV has increased significantly as antiretroviral therapy has become more widely available. As a result, the number of HIV-positive individuals over 50 has increased. Currently, over half of adults living with HIV are over the age of 50, and by 2030 over 70% of the HIV positive population in the U.S. will be over 50.
HIV care and research face new challenges. Older people living with HIV also have an increased risk of dementia, osteoporosis, frailty and some cancers. They also may be more likely to fall. It’s common for older adults with HIV to experience mental illness, especially depression and addiction, and they tend to be more isolated.
Also see: The retirement problem no one is planning for: the great health transfer
More research needed now
The combination of these health issues with HIV can make these patients even more challenging to manage. As the population ages, we need more research into HIV and aging to improve their care and treatment.
It is crucial to provide more funding for clinical research on HIV and aging because of the potential impact on public health that this research may have. Health disparities and poor outcomes may increase without new research to guide treatment and care for this population. This could result in an increase in healthcare costs and a decrease in quality of life for those affected.
Moreover, there is evidence that HIV patients age faster. It may be due to chronic inflammation and immune activation, which are common among HIV-positive individuals. Age-related health issues include heart disease, cancer and cognitive decline due to advanced aging.
Additional research is required to better understand the mechanisms behind accelerated aging in HIV-positive individuals and to develop interventions to slow down or reverse this process.
New clinical research on HIV and aging is necessary because it addresses this population’s unique challenges. For example, HIV-positive individuals are more likely to develop comorbidities — co-existing diseases such as diabetes and hypertension — that complicate HIV treatment.
Plus: Why LGBTQ+ financial planning is getting complicated again
Social and economic issues
HIV patients face social and economic challenges, including stigma, discrimination and poverty. In addition to addressing these challenges, new research can contribute to the identification of interventions that can improve the health and well-being of this population.
It is also essential to better understand the interactions between HIV and other medications commonly used by older adults. For instance, certain HIV medications may interact with medications used to treat other conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes. New research is required to understand these interactions and develop treatment strategies that minimize adverse effects.
Finally, new research on HIV and aging is crucial to improving our understanding of the biology of aging. Understanding the mechanisms behind aging in HIV-infected individuals may allow us to develop new interventions beneficial not only to this population but also to the general population.
The aging process can be studied through HIV lenses, providing an unprecedented opportunity for ongoing research to advance our understanding of aging and age-related diseases.
Broad benefits possible
Therefore, advancing clinical research on HIV and aging is imperative to address the growing challenges faced by this community. We can improve the health outcomes and quality of life of older adults living with HIV by improving our understanding of their unique health needs and challenges.
Further, research on HIV and aging may enhance our understanding of aging biology and develop interventions that benefit a broad range of populations. Considering the growing number of aging people living with HIV, funding for research in this area should be prioritized.
Michael Pessman is a gerontologist and a Public Voices Fellow at the Op-Ed Project. Follow him on Twitter @agernation.
This article is reprinted by permission from NextAvenue.org, ©2023 Twin Cities Public Television, Inc. All rights reserved.
More from Next Avenue:
This post was originally published on Market Watch
