HIV Impact on Aging Populations in Sub-Saharan Africa

Adults aged 50 years and above now comprise a growing proportion of people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, driven by improved survival through widespread antiretroviral therapy (ART). This demographic shift has revealed a complex interplay between long-term HIV infection, age-related comorbidities and social determinants of health. Older people living with HIV experience a double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and respiratory conditions, often compounded by polypharmacy and frailty. Stigma and ageism continue to undermine timely diagnosis, treatment adherence and psychosocial wellbeing, while health systems remain geared towards younger cohorts. Socioeconomic disparities further shape access to care, with rural and low-income communities disproportionately affected. The evolving epidemiological transition in many regions has seen declines in HIV-related mortality alongside rising prevalence of chronic conditions, underscoring the need for integrated models of care. To promote healthy ageing, there is growing consensus on the importance of age-sensitive HIV services, targeted screening for comorbidities, mental health support and community-based interventions that address financial hardship and social isolation. Coordinated policy responses are essential to ensure that health systems adapt to the combined challenges of an ageing population and the enduring HIV epidemic.

Research from Nature Portfolio

No recent Nature Portfolio content available.

HIV Impact on Aging Populations in Sub-Saharan Africa publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in hiv impact on aging populations in sub-saharan africa across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Antiretroviral therapy (ART): A combination of drugs that suppress HIV replication, preserve immune function and reduce morbidity.

Comorbidity: The co-occurrence of two or more chronic health conditions in the same individual, such as HIV and cardiovascular disease.

Polypharmacy: Concurrent use of multiple medications, often increasing risk of adverse drug interactions and complicating adherence.

Epidemiological transition: The shift in disease patterns from infectious to non-communicable conditions as populations age and public health interventions take effect.

Stigma: Social disapproval or discrimination directed at individuals on the basis of a health condition, leading to marginalisation.

Frailty: A clinical state characterised by reduced physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to health stressors in older adults.

References

1. Ageing with HIV: challenges and coping mechanisms of older adults 50 years and above living with HIV in Uganda. BMC Geriatrics (2024).
2. “A frightening experience, especially at our age”: Examining the neglect and abuse of older persons in HIV prevention and care programs. Frontiers in Public Health (2023).
3. Chronic disease, risk factors and disability in adults aged 50 and above living with and without HIV: findings from the Wellbeing of Older People Study in Uganda. Global Health Action (2016).