August 9, 2007

Older Women Don’t Want HIV Tests

Despite rising rates of HIV infection among the older set, a new study suggests that many women over the age of 50 still have no interest in being tested for the virus. Researchers interviewed about 500 American women between the ages of 50 and 95 and found that only 22 percent wanted to be tested. More than 60 percent of the women had never been tested.

Almost 15 percent of new HIV diagnoses in 2005 were among people aged 50 to 64, and researchers behind the new study are calling for more outreach to that population about testing. Last month, New York City’s Department of Aging began passing out condoms to elderly people and providing HIV/AIDS information at senior centers.