17/02/2012
EXCLUSIVE FROM URU KISHUMUNDU AT MOSHI KILIMANJARO
Impact of HIV on older people ignored
The impact of HIV on older people remains largely ignored, as demonstrated by the limited amount of data available on those aged over 50. Unsurprisingly, older people were completely absent from the 2011 High Level Meeting, with no reference to ageing issues or their role as carers.
Our aim was to highlight that, however limited, the data available clearly demonstrates the urgent need to include older people in the HIV response. Participants from the Africa Volunteer Corps shared data which highlighted that 13% of people living with HIV in Moshi are aged 50 and above.
Older people living with HIV at the conference shared the health challenges they face.Rose John, a 62-year-old participant living with HIV said: "As you grow old your immune system breaks down and with HIV it's even worse."
Discussing older people's exclusion from HIV awareness education, Bertila added: "Everyone focuses on the s*xually active younger age group but they are often having less s*x than us!"
