Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
The New York Times - August 30, 2007
Difficulties like decreased libido are not the only problems stemming from adults remaining sexually active later in life ("Many Found Sexually Active Into the 70s," news article, Aug. 23).
As we reported in last year's landmark Research on Older Adults With H.I.V. study, the fastest-growing segment of the H.I.V.-positive population consists of people over 50 years old.
In New York City, 33 percent of the nearly 100,000 people with the disease are 50 and older. The success of antiviral drugs makes it likely that this group will account for the majority of people with the disease in the next decade.
The study also found that heterosexual sex is the primary mode of H.I.V. transmission, with 61 percent of those over 50 who were infected in the last five years citing this form of contracting the disease.
One probable reason is that condoms may be viewed as unnecessary once menopause has removed the danger of unwanted pregnancy. Since few H.I.V.-prevention resources are aimed at older adults, new infection rates could grow.
Unfortunately, the aging H.I.V.-AIDS population faces a health care system and social-support network ill prepared to meet its needs. New York was the first American city to begin an H.I.V.-prevention program for older adults. It is vital that officials, policy makers and others initiate similar efforts.
Daniel Tietz
New York, Aug. 23, 2007
The writer is executive director of the AIDS Community Research Initiative of America.
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