Ageways 79: HIV and AIDS

The HIV epidemic is affecting older women and men in two key ways - they are living with HIV and providing care and support to orphaned children and family members living with the virus.

However, in the face of an ageing epidemic, with increasing numbers of older people living with HIV around the world, older people's exclusion remains a concern. HIV data is largely unavailable for older people, contributing to their exclusion from HIV programmes.

Addressing the impact of HIV on older people

This issue of Ageways reminds us that older people hugely contribute to the response to HIV, and must not be neglected in policy and programming. It profiles some of the action taken by HelpAge and partners in implementing a five-year HIV programme in five countries in Africa with funding from the UK Big Lottery Fund.

The programme is focused on preventing HIV infections and alleviating the impact of HIV on grandparent-headed households. Some of the activities from this programme are featured in this issue.

The stories here celebrate the successes of these efforts to recognise older people's needs and contributions, raise awareness and address the discrimination and rights violations they face. We hope that these will be useful and inspire everyone who strives to tackle HIV and AIDS.

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