Comments on: Highlighting HIV Issues Among Older Americans

By: Sam Kipper

Sam Kipper — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 03:59:28 +0000

Mr. Erin Stevenson, your story is reflected in many of your generation. My uncle has been through a similar experience. As the boomers reach their 50′s and 60′s, my sincere hope is they will demand better care from the government.
I’d love to be part of any awareness initiative for AIDs in this age bracket as i’m sure many others would too.

By: AJ

AJ — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 15:24:08 +0000

Its so important that older generations be educated on issues that weren’t around when they were growing up. Very happy to see this!!

By: Val Garner

Val Garner — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 19:42:47 +0000

I’m also glad to see awareness of this issue in older people. Most never got the education awareness in their teens and twenties because it wasn’t even around then. The other component is usually birth control isn’t an issue by then so the thought of any STI may be a foreign one.

By: Erin Stevenson

Erin Stevenson — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 17:22:28 +0000

I’m now in my 30th year with HIV/AIDS. I know this because when the CDC finally found a spine and issued its “presenting symptoms” in 1984, I had already experienced them and had attracted the attention of numerous doctors who would pursue me at work to schedule another visit…most of which I had to turn down as I could not afford them. Biggest issue was going out on disability in 1994-really through me off course, adversely affected my retirement fund, and more to the point, really destroyed my ability to plan for a future I did not know I had, and now that I am approaching 65, it is really devastating to my current lifestyle, income, quality of life and numerous other issues. I’m at a loss as to what to do-there’s no jobs, my house is worth much less than it was a couple of years ago, my income will no longer support my mortgage payments and any thought of being able to make a significant contribution to society evaporated with my diagnosis.

By: Derrick M

Derrick M — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 13:08:21 +0000

I would agree with the first commenter. I’d add a general social marketing awareness campaign as well as a targeted population-specific health promotion campiagn.

By: john donnelly

john donnelly — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 11:48:28 +0000

what are the best funding mechanisms for people living with AIDS programs like ours that feeds a Saturday night rest. quality meal to all ages, and from all burrows of New York City.

By: kemi Olubajo

kemi Olubajo — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 19:33:50 +0000

I’m happy there is focus on the issue of HIV and aging. With an aging and somewhat vibrant population we can expect an increased number of new infections in retirement communities and assisted living facilities.
We need national campaign to address prevention in this population group.
Treating HIV in this group will become more challenging because they already have many co-morbidities.