Economic evaluations of HIV prevention in rich countries and the need to focus on the aging of the HIV-positive population

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stressed testing as a prevention program for HIV/AIDS. Data on the effectiveness of these efforts are now available. The advent of successful antiretroviral (ARV) therapies and longer life expectancies has resulted in an emerging cohort of older adults with HIV. Due to differences in life expectancies and the availability of ARVs in rich and poor countries, the growth in the older population with HIV is not universal, although this situation is changing due to policies advocated by the UN for universal access to ARVs. RECENT FINDINGS: The literature on differences in access to ARVs of those with HIV in rich and poor countries, and the efficacy of ARVs in reducing opportunistic infections and AIDS-related comorbidities, is still emerging. The current study reviews findings relative to the benefits and effectiveness of testing as a prevention strategy and highlights the impact of age on HIV testing, and the need for more evaluations in this area. SUMMARY: HIV testing and prevention are effective in older adults. More education and outreach is needed on HIV risk in this population to healthcare providers and older adults themselves. HIV prevention materials need to be age-appropriate in order to be effective in the older population.