Monday, 13 November 2017, 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Hosted by the Hellenic Observatory and the Department of Social Policy at the Wolfson Theatre, New Academic Building, London, UK.
This talk will explore the social and psychological needs of people aged 50 or over living with HIV/AIDS and present the findings from a comparative study between the UK and Cyprus.
Debbie Laycock is Head of Policy an Parliamentary Affairs at the Terrence Higgins Trust. Debbie has worked as Head of Policy at Terrence Higgins Trust for the past two years, leading on the Trust’s research, policy and influencing work. Debbie has worked in the public health field for over 10 years since graduating from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, specialising in tuberculosis and HIV. She has worked in a range of sectors, from the NHS to national government to the charitable sector and is passionate about shining a spotlight on the needs of communities most at risk of communicable diseases and empowering communities to ensure their rights are enacted.
Constantinos N Phellas is a medical sociologist and Vice Rector for Faculty and Research, University of Nicosia, Cyprus, as well as the Chairperson of the Cyprus National Bioethics Committee.
Prof. Phellas has nearly two decades of teaching experience both in the UK and Cyprus and has been involved in several research projects funded by the Cyprus Research Council, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Cyprus National Athletic Federation, as well as, the European Union. Since 2004, he has served as the Executive Director of RUBSI (Research Unit in Health, Behaviour & Social Issues) which aims to improve understanding of the social and psychological processes and mechanism which influence the physical, psychological and mental health and well being of the Cypriot population. Between 2008 and 2011, he was Dean of the School of Humanities, Social Sciences & Law at the University of Nicosia. He has served as a consultant to various organizations including, among others, the World Health Organisation (WHO), Europa Donna Cyprus, the Cyprus Ministry of Health, and the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre. Prof. Phellas also serves as an Evaluator for European Funding Agencies and holds official European and Governmental appointments; among others, he is the President of the Cyprus Sociological Association, a member of the National Diabetes Committee, an official representative on the FP7 Programme Committee for “Socio-Economic Sciences and Humanities” and a member of the Research Committee of the European Science Foundation (ESF). Prof. Phellas has published extensively and has attended several international conferences.
Programme
- Lecture:
Growing Older with the Epidemic: Ageing and HIV, Professor C Phellas - Research Project’s Findings:
Exploring the Social & Psychological Needs of People aged 50 or over living with HIV/AIDS: A Comparative Study between UK and Cyprus, Professor C Phellas & THT
Abstract
It is difficult to determine rates of HIV infection among older adults, as very few persons over the age of 50 at risk for HIV routinely get tested. Most older adults are first diagnosed with HIV at a late stage of infection-when they seek treatment for an HIV-related illness. Cases among older people may be under reported, as HIV symptoms and often mistaken for ageing problems. Older adults need support and education to ensure that their lives over 50 are as rewarding and safe as before 50. Adults over 50 are an especially important group to target with health prevention messages, both for their own risk behaviors, and for their role as leaders and teachers of younger generations. The challenges of providing care to people living with HIV- both for traditional and nontraditional caregivers, require considerable and support and assistance. HIV/AIDS Service Organization, LGBT community centers, and other community, based organizations should address these challenges through programming that supports caregivers for people living with HIV/AIDS.
This event details what we know about HIV among older adults, what we do not yet understand, and what improvements can be made to better prepare public health providers to care for this population.
This first appeared on The London School of Economics website