HelpAge International calls on UNAIDS to recognise over 50s as risk group.

Ahead of the International AIDS Conference in Mexico City next week, HelpAge International, the global network promoting the rights of older people, is renewing its call to UNAIDS that indicators on HIV and AIDS be amended to include people over the age of 50.

Despite the limited data available on older people affected by HIV and AIDS, existing evidence clearly shows they are living with the virus and are at risk of infection. Recently released data from the Kenya AIDS Indicator Survey 2007 revealed that the prevalence rate of HIV among people aged 50-54 is almost 8 per cent - double that among 15-24 year olds who are a key target group for policy and programming response.

Prevalence in the 55-59 age group is at just over 4 per cent, while for 60-64 year olds it is 2 per cent. The primary mode of transmission among the over 50s is, as for other age groups, heterosexual sex. 

UNAIDS, which leads the global response to the pandemic, currently uses 25 core indicators to monitor progress in tackling HIV and AIDS, yet none of these monitors the impact on or prevalence among those over 50. This exclusion is leading to a critical lack of awareness of the affects on older people, and to their neglect in national and international responses. As a result, many are unable to access vital information, treatment and support.

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

“It’s startling that in the face of clear evidence of older people living with HIV and AIDS, UNAIDS is still not recognising them as a group at risk of infection. Indicators used to
measure number of sexual partners and condom use focus solely on the 15-49 year age group, perpetuating the false assumption that people over 50 no longer have sexual relationships. This is simply not the case.

“Until all age-groups are included in the global response, the international goal of universal access to prevention, treatment and care by 2010 will not be achieved.”

Earlier this year, the UNAIDS regional office for southern and eastern Africa asked HelpAge International to review all country reports from the region submitted to the UN. The analysis found very little evidence of the inclusion of older people, again confirming their absence from HIV and AIDS interventions.

In addition to being a risk group, older people, mainly older women, also make a crucial contribution to the HIV and AIDS response in their role as carers for many of the world’s 15 million children orphaned by the pandemic.

None of the 25 core indicators address who is providing care to people living with or affected by HIV and AIDS, nor measure the support these carers receive.  Without this information, appropriate assistance to older people and those in their care cannot be delivered.

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For case studies and spokespeople please contact Julia Pitman on 0207 278 7778 / 07980 623083 or email jpitman@helpage.org

Notes to Editors

1.  Rachel Albone, HelpAge International HIV and AIDS Policy Adviser is attending the Conference and is available for interview. Please contact Julia Pitman on the numbers above.

2.  The International AIDS Conference is taking place in Mexico City from 3 – 8 August 2008. It is the world’s largest and most important HIV/AIDS forum, with over 20,000 participants including people living with HIV, scientists, public health experts, community leaders and other stakeholders from around the world.

3.  HelpAge International has a vision of a world in which all older people fulfil their potential to lead dignified, healthy and secure lives. HelpAge International is a global network striving for the rights of disadvantaged older people to economic and physical security; healthcare and social services; and support in their caregiving role across the generations.www.helpage.org

4.  Help the Aged provides core funding to HelpAge International, and is also a leading partner of HAI’s global network of not-for-profit organisations.  This network shares a mission to give older people a voice, address the needs of the disadvantaged and improve older people’s quality of life worldwide.