May 2025

GERIATRICS

AWARENESS AND RISK PERCEPTION OF TYPE 2 DIABETES AMONG OLDER ADULTS WITH HIV

Northwestern Medicine's Rachel O’ Connor, PhD, MPH, Allison Pack, MD, and Amisha Wallia, MD, among other scientists, co-authored a qualitative study that aimed to explore the awareness, perceived risk, and willingness to get preventive education about Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among older adults living with HIV.
Conducted from November 2022 to January 2023, the study involved 19 participants with a mean age of 59, 37% of whom were female.
Key findings:
  • While participants were generally familiar with T2DM, they were largely unaware of the heightened risk associated with HIV.
  • Perceptions of personal risk varied, but a common motivation for prevention was the desire for better health maintenance.
  • Despite recognizing that lifestyle changes could be challenging, participants expressed openness to receiving diabetes prevention resources through a patient portal.
The study highlights the need for targeted, accessible educational materials for older adults living with HIV to improve awareness and promote T2DM prevention strategies.
Read the study.

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