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Health

Mini conference for local people aged 50+ with HIV

Besi Besemar August 19, 2015

Terrence Higgins Trust dedicate International Older People’s Day to over 50s in Brighton living with HIV.

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To mark International Older People’s Day on October 1, the HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) will host an event dedicated to people living locally who are over 50 and living with HIV.

Health, Wealth and Happiness Day, on HIV and ageing in Brighton and Hove will take place at the Friends Meeting House, Ship Street.

The Health Wealth and Happiness Project is a 3 year initiative funded by the Big Lottery Fund’s Silver Dreams scheme (in association with the Daily Mail) for people 50 or over and living with HIV in London, Bristol, West Midlands, Brighton or Manchester and focuses on providing support, advice, counselling and information to the first generation of people living with HIV into older age.

These numbers are set to rise significantly over the next decade with 53 per cent (42, 000) of people currently living with HIV in the UK in the 35 – 49 age group.

The most recent regional statistics for the South East Coast region reveal that 27.9 per cent of the total people (5,470) seen for HIV care in Brighton and Hove in 2013 were over 50 – 1,284 men and 247 women.

THT research, 50 Plus, found that older people living with HIV are poorer than their peers. They are less likely to be economically active, own their own home or have savings. At the same time, they have twice as many long-term health conditions.

Attendees will be given a unique opportunity to hear first hand from experts within the field of HIV and ageing. The conference will be free to attend for anyone over 50 living with HIV.

Peer Action, the HIV+ peer support and social group for people living with HIV will provide thirty free therapies and Lunch Positive, the HIV lunch club will serve a free lunch for everyone.

The Sussex Beacon will be running a workshop and there will be information stands from other organisations providing services in the city.

Sue Peters, Regional Manager, Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “We hope that our Health, Wealth and Happiness Day in Brighton and Hove will provide a chance for older people living with HIV to hear first hand from professionals in the field of HIV and ageing, and to meet others in a similar situation. There will also be an opportunity to hear about the services and support available locally.”

Confirmed speakers for the event include:

♦  Jackie Morton, Interim Chief Executive, Terrence Higgins Trust

♦  Dr Jonathan Underwood, Clinical Research Fellow, Imperial College, London

♦  Dr Tom Levett, Clinical Research Fellow in Elderly and HIV Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School

♦  Dr Jaime Vera, Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in HIV Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School

To book a place at the Health, Wealth and Happiness Day, click here:

 

 

 

 

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