Of all the people age 50 and over with AIDS, more than half (52%) are African American and Hispanic. Of all men age 50 and over with AIDS, 49% are African American and Hispanic. Of all women age 50 and over with AIDS, 70% are African American and Hispanic. The number of HIV/AIDS cases continues to rise in communities of color. Educators, health care workers, and community leaders need to inform and warn people about HIV - the dangers of having sex without a condom, the dangers of injecting drugs and using infected needles, and the importance of getting tested.

The number of older women with HIV/AIDS, regardless of race, is also on the rise. Over a recent 5- year period, the number of new AIDS cases in women age 50 and older increased by 40%. Two thirds of the women got the virus because they had sex with infected partners. Nearly one third of the women got HIV because they shared needles.

There may be a connection between HIV/AIDS and women in menopause. For example, women who are no longer worried about getting pregnant may be less likely to use a condom and practice safe sex. Some menopausal women have vaginal dryness and thinning. This means they are more likely to have small tears and abrasions during sex. This can put women at greater risk for HIV. Because women may live longer than men and because of the rising rate of divorce, there are a large number of widowed, divorced, or separated women starting to date. Because many of these women do not understand how HIV/AIDS is spread, they may be at risk.

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