Scarcity of HIV/AIDS risk-reduction materials targeting the needs of older adults among state departments of public health

Abstract

This study investigated the availability of printed human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) education/prevention materials from state departments of public health within the United States, which specifically targeted the older adult population. Information on HIV/AIDS from public health departments in each of the 50 states was solicited, obtained, and analyzed for applicability to an older adult population. Although all 50 states responded to our request for publications, only 15 states (30%) provided publications that were specifically intended for an older adult audience. The title, date of publication, and publisher of publications that were considered "specific to older adults" are provided. These findings suggest that there is a general lack of HIV/AIDS prevention literature specifically tailored for older adults available through state departments of public health.