Sunrise, Sunset: HIV & Aging

I love Sunrise, Sunset, that song from Fiddler on the Roof when the parents at a wedding sing about how quickly their children grew and how sweet, and also sad it was. When I look back on my time working in HIV (fifteen years now), I am struck with sadness and sweetness too. There were the people who died way too young, before life saving treatments were available, and there are those I’ve known for years, longer than they thought they would ever live. When HIV treatments work, lives can be extended significantly, and now people are contemplating middle and perhaps old age. Even ten years ago, who could have imagined the words HIV and aging would be in the same sentence? Thanks to HIV treatments, they can be, and aging with HIV is a reality for many.

 Bronwyn recently went to the Annual Forum and meeting of the Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation  (CWGHR) in Toronto, where HIV Across the Lifespan was the theme. Discussion topics included changes in brain function (particularly memory), HIV treatment and the brain, mental health/ depression, physical health, lifestyle changes. Far cry from when people just wanted to live another year. It’s amazing.

The Research on Older Adults with HIV  (ROAH) study, produced by the AIDS Community Research Initiative of America Center for Aging , looked at the effects of HIV and aging. Study authors looked at the significance of aging with HIV from an individual and population perspective. They found that in addition to HIV health issues, older people with HIV increasingly face depression, isolation and stigma.

Perimenopause (the years leading up to menopause) brings potential changes in hormones, mental health (including depression) and sexual health. A woman’s body changes during perimenopause and after menopause. For example, post menopause the vaginal walls to be more fragile, meaning they can tear more easily during intercourse, therefore making it easier to get  STIs . HIV is increasingly appearing in populations over 40, both because positive women are aging, but also because new infections are occurring. Women cite lack of HIV prevention information as one of the challenges.

We just got funding to start a project that will educate women in their middle years about changes in sexual health and how they relate to HIV. We’ll be supporting positive women as well as focusing on age-specific information for women at risk. So here’s to HIV and aging- may women live long and healthy lives.

- Janet  

This was posted on Friday, July 31st, 2009 at 10:00 am and is filed under Education & Resources, HIV Prevention . Feel free to respond, or trackback. Read our comments policy.

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