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https://theconversation.com/ageing-with-hiv-global-report-highlights-the-need-to-prepare-health-systems-289168>
"The Lancet HIV Commission on Ageing’s 2026 report highlights how profoundly
the global HIV epidemic is changing.
In 2025, an estimated 11.5 million (29%) people living with HIV were aged 50
years and older. This is projected to increase to 20.2 million by 2040. That
would account for more than half (51%) of all people living with HIV. And,
crucially, 96% will live in low- and middle-income countries. Sub-Saharan
Africa is continuing to shoulder the greatest burden of the global HIV
epidemic.
Much of this change reflects the success of antiretroviral therapy (ART), which
has enabled millions of people who acquired HIV earlier in life to grow older.
The challenge has gone beyond helping people live longer, to ensuring they age
well – that they maintain good health, independence and quality of life
throughout older age.
Older adults are also acquiring HIV and being diagnosed later in life. But
prevention and testing campaigns remain focused on younger people.
Older adults are often assumed to be at low risk because of the misconception
that they are no longer sexually active. Healthcare workers may be less likely
to discuss sexual health, recommend testing or offer prevention options such as
PrEP. Moreover, older people may not see themselves reflected in HIV messaging
that’s directed to younger people. These assumptions contribute not only to
delayed diagnosis and treatment, but also to discrimination within healthcare,
where opportunities for prevention and early detection may be missed."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
