November 29, 2002

Being over 50 is no protection from HIV

by Bulanbaji de Cella

:

For many individuals over the age of 50, there is a deadly misconception that HIV and AIDS only affects the young. Many older Americans feel that they don't engage in unprotected sex with persons outside of their age bracket that they will be safe as if their age alone will protect them. This is not only a dangerous assumption, but a most uneducated one as well.

The reality is that no matter what age you are, if you engage in risk behaviors such as unprotected sexual activities or drug use, then you are vulnerable to HIV infection. The fact is that no one who puts him or herself in contact with a transmittable body fluid (i.e. blood, semen, vaginal fluids, breast milk) without a protective barrier is safe from HIV and AIDS. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there

have been approximately 800,000 cumulative cases of HIV and AIDS in the United States reported as of June 2001; 14 percent (81,000) of those are in the 50 and older age group.

In fact, the number of individuals 50 years or age and older living with HIV or AIDS has increased 22 percent over the last ten years, a much higher increase than most would suspect.

So what is causing HIV to spread so steadily among the 50+ populations? It is actually a combination of elements.

First of all, the reality is that those 50 and over do remain sexually active, yet are five times more likely not to use a condom or other HIV-blocking barrier when engaging in sexual activities. Those 50 and over are four times more likely not to be tested for HIV despite their lack of protection-allowing for the HIV virus to be transmitted and

Memorials, candlelight service to mark AIDS Day

by Mary Elliott

Columbus-The fifteenth annual World AIDS Day will be observed around the world and in Columbus on Sunday December 1. The Columbus Museum of Art will collaborate with the Columbus AIDS Task Force to host a time of reflection and remembrance for those in our community we have lost to AIDS.

World AIDS Day is commemorated around the globe on December 1 with news and events to highlight progress made in the battle against the epidemic, but at the same time reminding people how much still needs to be done.

On Sunday, December 1 from 3 5 pm, the Columbus Museum of Art will have a memorial book in the museum lobby. Visitors may sign the book in memory of someone they know who has died of AIDS. The Columbus AIDS Task Force will provide remembrance cards on which individuals can write the name of their loved one. This two-hour time of reflection will be

unstructured to allow those in attendance to determine the course of their remembrance.

From 5-6 pm, there will be a candlelight service of remembrance, healing, celebration, and commitment at Broad Street United Methodist Church, across the street from the museum at 501 East Broad Street.

The Columbus Museum of Art is committed to helping the Columbus AIDS Task Force increase awareness of AIDS education. Every other year, the Museum hosts Art for Life, a very successful art exhibition and auction to benefit the Columbus AIDS Task Force.

The Columbus Museum of Art, 480 East Broad Street, is an educational and cultural center for the people of central Ohio. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5:30 pm, and until 8:30 pm every Thursday. Call the museum at 614221-4848 or visit the web site www.columbusmuseum.org.

Mary Elliott is the public relations and marketing manager for the Columbus Museum of Art.

Thank you for 19 years of caring for one another

by Vickie Brooks

The year 2001 marked the 20-year anniversary of the first cases of what would soon come to be known as AIDS. In July 1983 when AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati was founded, we believed that we would only need to exist for a few years until a cure was found and the crisis was over.

Twenty years later, the Centers for Disease Control estimates that in the United States, between 800,000 and 900,000 individuals are infected with HIV, and 438,795 people have died of AIDS-related complications.

Approximately 15,000 new infections occur every day, half of which will be people under the age of 24.

The statistics are overwhelming. It is clear that the need for AVOC's services will be necessary for the foreseeable future. Every year when I sit down to write a letter for the annual report or a fundraising effort, I look at the statistics; think about our services, how I can best translate that information to inspire people to make a difference, in their own or someone else's, life.

During my tenure with AVOC (nine years in February, 2003), I have written a lot of these letters. This year I would like to take advantage of "executive director's privilege" and do something a little different. I want to take this opportunity to thank the staff, volunteers, and supporters of AVOC for their

dedication and commitment to the mission of the agency, to the people we serve, and to each other.

In January 2002 AVOC lost an employee and good friend, Jim "Spike" Taylor.

His sudden death has caused me to rethink some of the things in life that I probably take for granted. One of the more important of those things is relationships and people. The people who founded AVOC cared for one another and wanted to help each other and Cincinnatians who struggled with their illness. Nineteen years later this sentiment is still true at AVOC. I don't want us to forget that idea as we get caught up in our daily routines and hectic schedules.

It is about people. It is about Jim Taylor; and it is about the clients, staff, volunteers and supporters that make AVOC possible.

continue to be passed all the while remaining undetected until serious health problems oc-

cur.

Also, since older Americans often encounter other age-related health problems, the actual HIV infection may not only go undiagnosed, but also misdiagnosed.

People 50 and over are four times more likely

not to be tested.

Often times when dealing with those 50 years of age and older, health providers will mistake AIDS-related illnesses for other agerelated issues such as menopause or early Alzheimer's disease.

In fact, studies indicate that even among health care professionals, when treating those 50 years of age or older, less than 40 percent of primary care physicians assess HIV as a risk.

So what can you do?

It's simple. Start by getting tested. Remember, although years may have passed since you have put yourself at risk by drug use, engaging in unprotected sexual encounters, or any other behavior which could transmit HIV, many people do not experience symptoms for up to ten years after infection. And, although those risk behaviors may be in your past, HIV and AIDS unfortunately is not something time will heal. Once positive, always positive, so be sure to

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 13

get tested every 3 months as long as you're participating in risk behaviors, and then again every year after discontinuing unsafe practices. There are many free and anonymous testing sites available in Ohio, so to find one you can access, call 800-332-2437 (AIDS) voice, or 800-332-3889 (TTY).

Also, take time to learn the facts about HIV and how it is transmitted so that you can protect yourself. In the case of HIV and other STDs, what you don't know can hurt you.

And keep in mind that HIV is not spread by casual contact, so do not be afraid to be close to those whom you may find are HIV positive.

Just remember to always put a barrier between your body and other people's fluids and keep being tested. Having been negative once does not assure being negative again if you're continually being unsafe.

For those who have lost friends and loved ones to AIDS, on December 6, ACTNOW (AIDS Coalition of Toledo and Northwest Ohio) will host Toledo's response to World AIDS Day 2002. At 5:45 pm at the Jefferson Senior Center on 2308 Jefferson Avenue, professionals, activists, and concerned citizens will gather to remember those we have lost to AIDS, and honor those who live with HIV and AIDS today.

The program will include a candlelight vigil, remarks by prominent city officials including Major Jack Ford, speakers, an interactive exercise, and refreshments. The program is designed to help the audience understand the discrimination that HIV positive people often endure, and to empower them to exercise compassion.

Be protected. Be informed. Be well. Play safe. ✓

Bulanbaji deCella is an AmeriCorps HIV/ AIDS educator at David's House Compassion in Toledo.

D.L. Dunkle & Associates a lesbian and gay psychotherapy practice

Offering Professional, Confidential Services to Individuals, Couples, and Groups.

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care about other people. I don't want to have to look back and wish that I had told them how very much they are appreciated. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for all that you do day in and day out, for caring enough, loving enough, and sharing enough to make a difference.

A quote by Margaret Mead says it much more eloquently than I ever could.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world indeed it is the only thing that ever has."

Vickie Brooks is the executive director of AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati.

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