SEACAA

September 18: National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day

September 18 is National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day, an annual observance focused on the needs of older adults living with HIV and on continued HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care among aging populations.

Advances in HIV treatment have transformed what it means to live with HIV. Many people diagnosed with HIV are living longer, healthier lives, making healthy aging an increasingly important part of HIV care.

According to HIV.gov, more than half of people living with diagnosed HIV in the United States and dependent areas are age 50 or older.

Aging with HIV Brings New Considerations

As people with HIV age, healthcare needs can become more complex.

Older adults may be managing HIV alongside cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease, cognitive concerns, or other age-related conditions. Coordination between healthcare providers can therefore become increasingly important.

Medication management, preventive care, mental health, social connection, housing stability, and access to transportation are also significant components of healthy aging.

HIV.gov notes that researchers continue studying the ways HIV, treatment, aging, and other health conditions interact over time.

Fighting Stigma at Every Age

Age does not eliminate HIV risk.

Yet misconceptions about sexuality, aging, and HIV can make older adults less likely to discuss HIV prevention or testing with healthcare providers.

Stigma can create another barrier.

National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day provides an opportunity to replace assumptions with accurate information and reinforce that every person deserves respectful, confidential, evidence-based healthcare.

Community Action’s Role

Community Action Agencies do not provide HIV treatment unless operating qualified health programs, but they can play an important role in addressing the social conditions that affect health.

Stable housing helps individuals maintain care.

Transportation helps people attend appointments.

Nutrition supports overall wellness.

Benefit navigation helps individuals access services.

Senior programs help combat isolation.

Trusted referrals help connect residents with appropriate healthcare organizations.

That is the value of a coordinated community response.

Aging with Dignity

National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day is ultimately about more than disease awareness. It is about ensuring people can age with health, dignity, connection, and support.

SEACAA encourages Community Action Agencies throughout the Southeast to use September 18 to share credible HIV information, strengthen partnerships with healthcare organizations, challenge stigma, and ensure older adults know where they can find testing, treatment, and support.

Health has no age limit—and neither should dignity, opportunity, or access to care.