Changing trends in human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in the population aged 50 and older.
OBJECTIVE
To alert persons in the public and private healthcare professions to the increasing trends in higher proportions of persons aged 50 and older who are newly diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and who are living with HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).


METHODS
Data from the period 1992 through 2004 from the HIV/AIDS Reporting System (HARS) were analyzed.


METHODS
New Jersey is the eleventh-most-populous state, with the highest density of persons per square mile. It also has the fifth-highest number of AIDS cases.


METHODS
All persons residing in New Jersey and reported to HARS with HIV infection or who are considered to have AIDS.


METHODS
Trends in persons aged 50 and older were compared with those in the population younger than 50 during 1992 through 2004 for the numbers of persons living with HIV/AIDS and the number of persons newly diagnosed with HIV infection.


RESULTS
The proportion of all persons aged 50 and older living with HIV/AIDS in 2004 was significantly greater than the comparable proportion of persons in 1992. Proportionally, more persons were newly diagnosed with HIV who were aged 50 and older according to sex and for each of the three major race or ethnicity groups (white non-Hispanic, black non-Hispanic, and Hispanic) than were persons younger than 50. Each of these increases was statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
HIV/AIDS social marketing campaigns should include images and issues related to older persons in educational and prevention efforts. New methods that reach older populations should be considered. Physicians and other healthcare providers should be made aware of their role in prevention and education about HIV. Testing of older populations with risk factors should be encouraged.
Paul
Sindy M
SM
Division of HIV/AIDS Services, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Trenton, New Jersey, USA. Sindy.Paul@doh.state.nj.us
Martin
Rose M
RM
Lu
Shou-En
SE
Lin
Yong
Y
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity / Q000639:trends; D009515:New Jersey / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends