Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Examines Growing National Concern About HIV/AIDS Among Seniors
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Tuesday examined the growing national concern about the increase in the number of HIV/AIDS cases among seniors. U.S. seniors often do not practice safe sex because they are not concerned about pregnancy and do not think they are at risk of HIV infection. However, the number of AIDS cases among U.S. residents older than 50 increased fivefold between 1995 and 2003, according to Gina Focareta, communications director for the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force. Despite the growing prevalence of the disease among this population, there are few prevention programs that target older people, according to the Post-Gazette. In response, the Southwestern Pennsylvania AIDS Planning Coalition and several other groups in the area have begun outreach and prevention programs to educate seniors about the risk of HIV/AIDS (Semuels, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 6/28).
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