Differing characteristics of heterosexual older adults with HIV from White or Black & Minority Ethnic communities

• One in twenty UK-based over 50s with HIV (n=410) were surveyed in 2010, which included:

• 55 Black and minority ethnic heterosexuals (BMEH) and 51 White heterosexuals (WH)

• WH respondents were significantly more likely to be long-term diagnosed

• BMEH respondents were almost twice as likely to have a very low CD4 count at diagnosis

Same old problems?• WH were more likely to have a higher pill burden, have difficulty

remembering to take their HIV treatment and more likely to report getting side effects

• BMEH were more likely to have experienced extreme anxiety or depression, particularly BMEH women

• WH were three times as likely to rate their emotional health as poor• Only 33% were working, with no significant difference between WH

and BMEH. WH respondents were twice as likely to earn more £25,000 ($37,500) a year and to own their own home

• BMEH were the only respondents to report no income, more likely to have low income, and more likely to report not having enough money to cover their basic needs

Same old problems?• WH respondents were almost four times as likely to go to their

husband, wife or partner for support• BMEM were more likely to seek support from a doctor or counsellor, or

people at their place of worship• We found significant differences in health, wealth and housing • BMEH have strikingly greater needs and difficulties and they may seek

help from different sources to WH. • These factors need to be considered when targeting services and

support for these groups in future

• Thanks to my co-authors: Lisa Power (THT), Alasdair Stewart and Michael Bell (MBARC) and to all those who took part in the survey