As recently as May 2005, there was special testimony given to the US Senate Special Committee on Aging. The testimony was provided by Robert Janssen, MD, Director of the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention at the CDC, and others.  A webcast is available.

As HIV-positive persons age, living longer with HIV and prolonging the eventual progression into AIDS, there are many new issues pertinent to our community.

Not only are these issues important to both those infected, the health system and the community at large, but the elderly are a vulnerable population.

Erectile dysfunction medications, the internet, assisted living and home arrangements have increased the opportunity for sexual contact.

Yet safe sex messages have not gone out to older citizens, many of whom have little knowledge as to the risks of STDs and HIV. Older persons do not believe they are at risk for STDs and HIV. Since the use of condoms was primarily to linked to preventing pregnancy, this isn't seen as an issue for many older women, especially those in menopause and post-menpausal. Therefore, condoms are almost never used.

The CDC is one of many agencies that post a great deal of information on this issue. The CDC helps coordinate infornation through the National Prevention Information Network (NPIN) that posts the most reliable and pertinent information on HIV/AIDS and STDs.

Other links include

NAHOF, the National Association on HIV Over Fifty

National Center for HIV/AIDS and STD Prevention: Fact Sheets and other materials

Compendium of HIV Prevention with Evidence of Effectiveness (Centers for Disease Control)