Having social support and strong social networks is vital to the health and well-being of older adults living with HIV, according to a Rutgers Health study. Published in AIDS Care and led by Kristen Krause, an instructor at the Rutgers School of Public Health, the study examined the social connections of older people living with HIV in Newark, N.J. – a region frequently overlooked in research focusing on this demographic.
“This study helps us understand how support networks affect older adults living with HIV and how stigma and fragmented relationships can ultimately make way for negative health outcomes,” said Krause, adding that many studies focus on other large urban areas, such as New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
With over 1.2 million people living with HIV in the United States, advances in medical technology have extended their lifespans, challenging the perception of HIV as primarily affecting young individuals. Half of those living with the virus in the United States are at least 50 years old, emphasizing the importance of understanding social support dynamics for this population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To read the full story.