Objective: To describe the cumulative AIDS incidence rates and characteristics of persons diagnosed with AIDS at the age of 60 years or older in Los Angeles County during the 1990's. Methods: The analysis included persons diagnosed with AIDS between 1990-1999. Cumulative AIDS rates were calculated for persons aged 60 years or older by gender and race/ethnicity. Demographic characteristics and the mode of HIV transmission in persons aged 60 or older was compared with persons diagnosed with AIDS at ages 30-59 using Chi-square analyses. Results: A total of 1,304 persons were diagnosed with AIDS at age 60 or older. The cumulative AIDS rate among men was 10 times higher compared to women (207/100,000 vs. 20/100,000). African Americans had the highest cumulative AIDS rate (180/100,000), followed by whites (104/100,000) and Latinos (100/100,000). Compared with the 30-59 age group, older cases were more likely to be female (11.4% vs. 6.0%, p<0.0001), white (60.3% vs. 52.7%, p<0.0001), and more likely to have contracted an HIV infection via blood transfusion (14.3% vs. 0.9%, p<0.0001) or heterosexual contact (6.1% vs. 3.9%, p<0.0001). They were also more likely to reside outside of the metro service planning area at the time of an AIDS diagnosis (66.8% vs. 58.4%, p<0.0001) and were more likely to live in a high-income census tract with a median household income above $40,000 (28.7% vs. 19.9%, p<0.0001). Conclusion: Prevention and care programs should consider the unique characteristics of persons diagnosed with AIDS at an older age.
Learning Objectives: To describe the cumulative AIDS incidence rates and characteristics of persons diagnosed with AIDS at the age of 60 years or older in Los Angeles County during the 1990's.
Keywords: Aging, HIV Risk Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.