London, December 01, 2025
A rising number of HIV infections among older women in their 50s and 60s is sparking renewed public health concerns in the UK and US. Experts warn that misconceptions about menopausal status and insufficient HIV testing contribute to this worrying trend.
Rising HIV Infections Among Older Women
Recent data reveals a 26% increase in new HIV diagnoses among heterosexual women in the UK between 2019 and 2024, with the majority of cases identified in women aged 50 to 60. In the United States, adults aged 55 and older comprise 42% of the population living with HIV in 2023, making this age group the largest demographic affected by the virus. New diagnoses among those aged 55-64 account for approximately 7% of all new HIV cases, while individuals 65 and older represent 2%.
Risks Linked to Low Condom Use and Misconceptions
Health experts attribute the heightened risk to persistent misunderstandings about sexual health in older adults. Many older women, particularly those undergoing perimenopause or menopause, often do not use condoms, erroneously believing that pregnancy prevention equates to protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. This misconception leads to increased vulnerability as condom use declines with age.
Significant Gaps in HIV Testing and Late Diagnoses
HIV testing rates remain low among older populations. In the US, only 19% of individuals aged 65 and older have ever undergone HIV testing, contributing to a trend of late-stage diagnoses. Approximately one-third of newly diagnosed older adults had already developed AIDS by the time of diagnosis. Such late detection exacerbates health challenges and undermines early intervention efforts.
Global Context: Women Represent Nearly Half of New Infections
Globally, women and girls account for 45% of new HIV infections in 2024, emphasizing the sustained risk faced by females worldwide. Heterosexual transmission remains a predominant route of infection, underscoring the need for targeted prevention strategies across age groups and regions.
Advancements in Treatment and Transmission Prevention
Despite the rising infection rates, advances in antiretroviral therapies (ART) have transformed HIV from a fatal disease to a manageable condition. Modern treatments effectively suppress viral loads to undetectable levels, rendering the virus untransmittable (U=U, undetectable = untransmittable). This medical progress offers hope for people living with HIV to lead healthy, normal lives while reducing transmission risk.
Public Health Urgency: Calls for Expanded Awareness and Testing
Health authorities and sexual health charities are urging the expansion of HIV awareness campaigns and testing programs tailored to older adults. Emphasizing the importance of safe sex practices regardless of age, specialists caution against underestimating HIV risk simply because pregnancy is no longer a concern. Increased education targeting misconceptions, coupled with accessible and stigma-free testing, are identified as critical steps to curb the upward trend in infections.
As the population of older adults living with HIV continues to grow, especially in developed countries, addressing these overlooked challenges is imperative. Promoting comprehensive sexual health education, routine HIV screening, and early access to treatment for older women could substantially reduce late diagnoses and improve health outcomes, reinforcing broader efforts to control the HIV epidemic.