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New Website Offers Resources on HIV and Aging

The American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM), the American Geriatrics Society (AGS), and ACRIA this week launched a new website, HIV-Age.org, that offers information and resources for clinicians who provide care for older patients with HIV.

Below is an edited excerpt from a joint press release describing the new website.

New Online Site, HIV-Age.org, Brings Together Resources, Research and Best Practices for Treating Older HIV Patients  

Washington, DC -- February 9, 2014 -- The American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM), ACRIA, and the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) today launched HIV-Age.org, the Go-To online site for clinicians seeking best practices for managing the care of older HIV patients. By 2015, half of the U.S. HIV population will be age 50 and older. Other individuals, such as patients, researchers, media and HIV advocates, will also find the content and resources useful in understanding the latest in managing the care older Americans with HIV.

The website is a continuation of the HIV and Aging Consensus Project, developed to assess how the presence of both HIV and common age-associated diseases alter the optimal treatment of HIV, as well as other co-existing medical conditions. As part of this project, in 2011, AAHIVM, AGS and ACRIA released the first clinical treatment strategies for managing older HIV patients: Recommended Treatment Strategies for Clinicians Managing Older Patients with HIV. The report, developed by a panel of experts with experience in the fields of HIV and Geriatrics, provided guidance for HIV clinicians and other health care providers who treat, diagnose and refer older patients with HIV disease.

"HIV-Age.org is the natural next step in the mission to provide HIV care providers with the information, tools and resources needed to best manage the health of their older HIV patients," stated James M. Friedman, executive director of AAHIVM. "This website will be a virtual environment of clinical information and colleague support."

HIV-Age.org will include editorials by leading clinicians, researchers and thought-leaders in the field, scientific spotlight articles on the latest research and treatment options, thought-provoking case studies and useful medical and government resources and links. For instance, the current Scientific Spotlight piece discusses the availability of "The Quick Reference Card for Managing Older Adults with HIV" now available through the New York State Department of Health (NYS AIDS Institute).

An extensive listing of published articles on HIV and Aging for the last two years will allow any site visitor to become rapidly informed. The site requires no membership and encourages comment and ongoing dialogue.

HIV-Age.org will also house the original 2011 Recommended Treatment Strategies for Clinicians Managing Older Patients with HIV report with timely updated sections with the goal of keeping the report relevant and scientifically up-to-date. At launch of the site, nine of the 22 chapters have been updated.

"This type of content will encourage discussion among the HIV community, including medical providers seeking strategies for tackling some of the more complicated treatment scenarios," stated Dan Tietz, executive director of ACRIA.

In 2006, 26 percent of HIV-infected adults in the U.S. were at least age 50, and in 2013 estimates place that number at almost 44 percent. Furthermore, the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that individuals in that age group accounted for 1 in 6 new HIV diagnoses each year.

"Thanks to medical advances, people with HIV are living longer," stated Wayne McCormick, MD, president-elect of the AGS Board of Directors. "But with living longer comes more questions on the management of the common co-morbidities associated with aging. We have a responsibility to not only help people live longer, but live better with proper care and treatment."  

The development of HIV-Age.org was made possible through generous support from The Archstone Foundation. The grant was awarded to the American Academy of HIV Medicine to administer this program.

ACRIA: for more than 20 years has transformed lives and strengthened communities affected by HIV in the U.S. and around the world through research, education and advocacy.  Through its ACRIA Center on HIV & Aging, the organization is recognized as an international leader on the emerging issue of HIV and older adults. 
 
The American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM): is a professional organization that supports the HIV practitioner and promotes accessible, quality care for all Americans living with HIV disease. Our membership of HIV practitioners and credentialed providers give direct care to more than three-fourths of HIV patients in the US.

The American Geriatrics Society (AGS): is a not-for-profit organization of close to 6,000 health professionals devoted to improving the health, independence and quality of life of all older people. The Society provides leadership to healthcare professionals, policy makers and the public by implementing and advocating for programs in patient care, research, professional and public education, and public policy.

2/11/14

Source

AAHIVM, ACRIA, and AGS. New Online Site, HIV-Age.org, Brings Together Resources, Research and Best Practices for Treating Older HIV Patients. Press release. February 9, 2014.