Brent Nicholls interviews Dr Mike Youle
Back in the late 80s and early 90s, having HIV was a terminal illness. With the discovery of and use of anti-retrovirals, those living with HIV could now live near normal lives. This increased life expectancy is shifting the focus in both healthcare monitoring and therapy, to accommodate the overlap between age-related conditions and illness due to HIV infection and complications of its treatment.
‘Coming of Age – a guide to ageing well with HIV’ is a project undertaken by JUSTRI to understand and gather information about the relationship between the two. The result was a booklet under the same name (free to download from www.justri.org) now in its second edition.
In conjunction with this booklet a workshop is being held on Thursday 15th March between 7pm-9pm and being chaired by world renowned and leading HIV specialist Dr Mike Youle. Mike will also be presenting a talk at the workshop.
I interviewed Mike to catch up with him to find out more about the booklet and workshop and how you can participate or contribute.
Why are you doing a workshop on HIV & ageing now?
Nowadays most people with HIV are likely to live almost a normal life span, compared to the bad old days of the 80s and 90s. As they age they are now more like other people with other chronic diseases, like diabetes, who we know get many more problems as they age. HIV itself and long-term treatment for it increase the frequency and severity of age-related conditions. Older people with HIV need help to understand what these conditions are, how they may affect them and what can be done to help.
What are the aims of this workshop?
This is the aim of this workshop, one of three we are running across the UK, is to allow people living with HIV to meet and discuss the issues they face as they age. Last year JUSTRI produced a book, ‘Coming of Age’ designed to give information and advice to patients and those who care for them, and over 1,000 copies have now been given away. Through these workshops we want to get feedback from people with HIV as to how this year’s version can be improved.
What is JUSTRI?
JUSTRI is a UK based not-for-profit organisation, run by a small group of doctors, nurses and others with or involved in the care of HIV. Its aim is to look for things to do that can support people with HIV and help those who care for them provide a better service, in a variety of different way. The kinds of things we do are explained at www.justri.org
The Coming of Age booklets are free with resources being provided by JUSTRI and are updated every year.
The workshop is to discuss this booklet and the issues raised and is your chance to express your views and opinions. If you are unable to take part in the workshop but would like to make a donation towards this ongoing project, you can do so at www.justri.org.
Work Shop Details
When: Thursday 15th March, 7pm-9pm
Where: Malet Suite, 2nd Floor, University of London Union, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HY
Contact: NO Registration is required, however if you would like to attend please e-mail [email protected] to confirm attendance
(A similar workshop was held in Manchester in December 2011 and there will be another workshop in Brighton in April 2012 – see www.justri.org for confirmed date)
