(New York City) The medical profession is failing to test people over 50 for HIV/AIDS despite evidence that the sex lives of seniors have been greatly extended by erectile dysfunction drugs, according to a new report by the World Health Organization.

The report, appearing in the WHO Bulletin, notes that not only are family doctors not recommending regular HIV tests for senior patients, there have been few studies on HIV among those over 50.

“In the last 5 years, only 13 of 30 surveys included older males and none included older females. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the United States of America does not collect data from people older than 49,” the WHO report said.

Yet information from those studies  indicate that about 11 percent of new HIV diagnoses and eight percent in Europe are in the over 50 age group.

The studies also suggest that men over 50 are less likely to engage in safe sex.

“These individuals have a shorter time from diagnosis to onset of AIDS, reflecting both age-related faster progression to AIDS and doctors’ failure to consider HIV as a diagnosis,” the WHO study conducted by Minnesota’s St. Olaf College said.

“HIV prevalence and incidence in the over-50-year-olds seem surprisingly high and the risk factors are totally unexplored. Understanding the epidemiology of HIV infection in older individuals can lead to interventions to make these years safer and more enjoyable.”

The WHO report suggests greater research into HIV among older people and the role of erectile dysfunction drugs, especially in the Third World.

“While erectile dysfunction is common and erectile dysfunction drugs are widely available in developing countries, no study has been done of their possible impact on the HIV epidemic, although their use in industrialized countries has been associated with risky safety practices,” the report said.