As the UN High-level meeting on AIDS opens in New York, HelpAge International is calling for UN indicators to be amended to include older people. 

Representatives from UN Member States and civil society organisations are meeting from 10-11 June, to review progress made in the AIDS response over the last two years.

HelpAge International is attending the meeting to raise awareness of the lack of data on HIV and AIDS and the over 50s.

We are also requesting development of a new indicator to assess the support provided to carers of people living with HIV and AIDS and vulnerable children.

Older people neglected in responses

The joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) currently uses 25 core indicators to monitor a country’s progress in implementing international commitments on tackling HIV and AIDS.

However, none of these indicators include people over the age of 49, nor do they recognise older people’s role in providing HIV and AIDS care.

This means there is a lack of awareness around the impact of HIV and AIDS on older people. As a result, they are neglected in national and international responses to the pandemic.

Earlier this year, the UNAIDS regional office for southern and eastern Africa asked HelpAge International to review all UN national reports from the region. The analysis found very little evidence of the inclusion of older people, confirming that they are indeed forgotten in HIV and AIDS interventions.

Improve monitoring and strengthen responses

Rachel Albone, HIV and AIDS Policy Adviser at HelpAge International, says:

“The international community has committed to achieving universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support for HIV and AIDS. However, access can only be universal if all population groups are involved in the response. 

“Older people can become infected with HIV in the same ways as anyone else. They also play a vital role as carers of those living with HIV and AIDS, including orphans and vulnerable children.

“Ensuring older people are included in UN indicators will improve monitoring of HIV and AIDS and strengthen international and national responses to the pandemic.”