Published in 1999 (revised: June 2000), this 35-page report describes features of the older Thai population and the history of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Thailand, and discusses potential links between them. It addresses both direct and indirect impacts of AIDS on this population, but focuses discussion on how older persons could be indirectly affected by AIDS infections occurring among their adult children. It identifies five major mechanisms through which these indirect effects can occur -- finances, health, time commitments, social relationships, and emotional stress -- as well as factors that could affect the degree and distribution of such impacts. A research agenda is proposed for exploring the impact of AIDS on older persons in developing countries. A number of substantive areas that warrant investigation are discussed, as are the advantages and weaknesses of several methodologies that could be used to pursue these topics.

This document is part of a research project funded by the U.S. National Institute on Aging and conducted by a joint team of Thai and US researchers. The project explores the impact of HIV/AIDS on older persons in Thailand whose adult children are infected with the HIV virus.

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