Education touted as weapon against senior HIV rate

Outreach workers say education is their greatest weapon in fighting the growing HIV rate among the elderly population in New Jersey.
In Trenton, outreach workers say a part of the growing HIV rate is due to prostitution occurring in a monthly pattern at several senior housing buildings. According to outreach workers, some elderly men spend money from their Social Security checks on sex.
Workers from the New Horizon Treatment Center say prostitution at the beginning of every month only makes their jobs harder. They provide on-site safe sex education at many senior buildings and even provide the men with condoms.
According to the state Department of Health, the number of people over the age of 50 with HIV has grown from 1,000 to more than 8,000 in the last 15 years. Outreach workers say the state cannot forget about the elderly population in its fight against HIV and AIDS.
For an interview with a New Horizon Treatment Center employee, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.