South Africa: People With HIV Are Living Longer but Have Fewer Years of Good Health, New Guidelines Aim to Change That
[spotlight] South Africa has an ageing population of people living with HIV. For the first time, a set of clinical guidelines maps out a framework to help keep this group of people healthier for longer.
South Africa has a growing population of older adults living with HIV, and new clinical guidelines aim to improve their health and quality of life. The Southern African HIV Clinicians Society released the first-ever set of guidelines for this demographic in 2025. These guidelines, published in the Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine, offer practical steps to address the unique challenges faced by older people with HIV in a resource-constrained health system.
According to the guidelines, people over 50 with HIV now make up 24% of the estimated 7.9 million HIV-positive individuals in the country, more than double the 800,000 over 50 in 2015. By 2035, the number is projected to reach over 3.6 million. While antiretroviral therapy has extended the lifespan of those living with HIV, the guidelines emphasize the need to focus on preserving their health span, or years spent in good health and with a high quality of life.
Dr. Camilla Wattrus, one of the guideline authors, explains that the focus on HIV-related issues like viral suppression should not overshadow the fact that older people with HIV are more likely to experience the same age-related diseases as those without HIV, but at earlier stages. The guidelines aim to raise healthcare workers' awareness of these needs and concerns, inform them about an ageing-related approach to care, highlight good practices for optimal care, and provide resources for both patients and their caregivers.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
