Older adults are getting infected with HIV, but prevention focuses on young people

Published on: 22.05.2025 19:00Author: Ulrike GebhardtThe active substance lenacapavir protects almost perfectly against HIV infection as a PrEP drug. Nevertheless, there is an urgent need to continue research on an HIV vaccine in order to reduce the spread of AIDS, experts say.

Older adults are getting infected with HIV, but prevention focuses on young people

Prevention and treatment campaigns are not adequately targeting the particular needs of the 50+ years age group. Indeed, between 2000 and 2016, the number of adults aged 50 years and older living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa alone doubled. At present, their HIV prevalence is exceeding that of younger adults. And by 2040, one-quarter of people living with HIV in Africa will be aged 50 years and older. As such, tailored awareness and treatment c…