HIV/AIDS in Older Women: Unique Challenges, Unmet Needs

TLDR: Empirical research focused on the needs of older women, and recognition of the diverse composition and needs of this group, are needed to inform prevention, intervention, and best practices with this population of women.

Abstract: As persons living with HIV/AIDS live longer, both the prevalence and incidence of HIV infection in older women is expected to increase, and this review presents a model and review of the extant literature on older women with HIV/AIDS in the United States. Older women are rarely addressed in the discourse about HIV risk and prevention, and their concerns are often missed by risk-reduction programs that typically target men and younger adults. Societal biases around aging can compound factors such as stigma and disclosure for older women. Primary care providers are often not recommending routine HIV testing to older women, or addressing the impact of age-related physiological changes on risk and sexual health. Many older women may be starting new relationships, so it is important that providers understand the relational variables specific to this group of women. Empirical research focused on the needs of older women, and recognition of the diverse composition and needs of this group, are needed to inform prevention, intervention, and best practices with this population of women.