December 1st is World AIDS Day, an occasion to reflect on the ongoing battle against HIV/AIDS and honor those whose lives have been lost to the disease. This day highlights our collective responsibility to address the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS and intensify our efforts toward eradicating it entirely.
Despite significant advances in HIV treatment and prevention, stigma remains a barrier to ending the HIV epidemic as it discourages individuals from seeking testing, treatment, and support, leading to delayed diagnoses and poorer health outcomes. Healthcare providers play a pivotal role in combating this stigma through education and inclusive care.
World AIDS Day honors the millions of lives lost to HIV/AIDS, reminding us of the urgency of our work and the importance of continued commitment to HIV prevention, treatment, and research. Ending the HIV epidemic requires education and access to care. Providers can educate patients, advocate for supportive policies, and reduce access barriers. Fostering an environment of acceptance and understanding within practices is vital. By supporting patients with empathy and respect and challenging stigma, providers build trust and encourage individuals to seek necessary care.
As we commemorate World AIDS Day, it’s crucial to honor and support older adults and long-term survivors of HIV, who have lived through decades of challenges, resilience, and triumphs. These individuals carry powerful stories of survival that inspire hope and remind us of the progress made in HIV treatment and care. Creating inclusive community engagement opportunities, such as intergenerational storytelling events, support groups, and creative workshops, fosters connection and combats the isolation many survivors face. By uplifting their voices and addressing their unique needs—such as aging-related health concerns and combating stigma—we can ensure they feel valued, celebrated, and empowered to thrive within our communities.
Furthering this year’s themes—UNAIDS “Take the rights path: My health, my right!” —we are reminded of the importance of prioritizing health as a human right and advancing collaborative efforts to address systemic barriers. Explore the materials below to understand the UNAIDS priorities, download media materials, and access provider learning tools and opportunities!
An essential part of advancing equity and innovation in care for older adults living with HIV is sharing knowledge and success stories through collaborative platforms. Our showcase recording and poster presentations offer a dynamic way to highlight adaptable practices and high-impact service models that meet the diverse needs of this population. Explore the posters below that outline strategies ranging from culturally tailored health interventions to innovative mental health and social support initiatives. By bringing together community leaders, healthcare providers, and advocates, these materials spark dialogue, inspire replication of effective approaches, and set the foundation for partnerships that strengthen services for older adults living with HIV across varied settings.
APLA Health
Positive Self-Management: A community-based approach to promote quality of life
among older MSM with HIV in Los Angeles, California. The Positive Self Management (PSM) component of HIV is inspired by the Self-Management Resource Center, Steps to Healthier Living, Positive Self-Management Program (PSMP) for people with HIV, originally developed at Stanford University. The curriculum includes a series of four, two-hour workshops intended to be held weekly and consecutively for four weeks.
Cascade AIDS Project
Aging Well builds a participant-driven community in the greater Portland, Oregon, metro area, in collaboration with our partners. Older adults living with HIV often face increased stress due to social isolation and fear of stigma, which can deter them from seeking social support and make disclosing their HIV status challenging. This stigma negatively impacts their physical and mental health, as well as their overall quality of life. We aim to improve all of these challenges.
Christie’s Place
Christie’s Place’s nationally recognized best practice Change 4 Women (C4W) model is an innovative, cost-efficient approach to addressing the unique needs of women living with HIV to maintain quality care. In its 3rd iteration, C4W: Amplify developed best practice methods and created coordinated networks of highly skilled providers who can deliver those direct services in trauma-informed, gender-affirming ways. Our Fifty and Beyond (FAB) program focuses on identifying and meeting the unique needs of women living with HIV over the age of 50.
Los Angeles LGBT Center
The Los Angeles LGBT Center has developed the Aging Positively program to improve the quality of life for older adults living with HIV. Over the three-year project, 315 older adults living with HIV received direct support and and participated in engagement activities through more than 28,000 encounters.
MPact Global Forum
MPACT Global, in collaboration with THRIVE SS, conducted a community-based study focused on Black gay men over 45 living with HIV in the Southern U.S. This region is significantly impacted by HIV, with Black/African American men representing a substantial portion of new diagnoses. This project sheds light on the unique challenges aging Black gay men face, including stigma, race-based discrimination, and limited access to culturally competent healthcare. This study emphasizes the need for tailored support systems, aiming to advance understanding and improve health equity for aging Black men with HIV.
San Francisco AIDS Foundation
People living with HIV are living longer, and the proportion of people living with HIV in San Francisco and the U.S. continues to grow. Many individuals are confronting unique social and emotional challenges in addition to health care systems ill-equipped to respond.
Shanti Project
Shanti Project builds human connections to reduce isolation, enhance health and well-being, and improve quality of life. Shanti’s programs provide individualized, holistic services to address the comprehensive needs of San Franciscans experiencing illness, disability, and aging. Our HIV Services Program provides care navigation, emotional and practical support, health counseling, and medical case management.
Translatin@ Coalition
The TransLatin@ Coalition, through the Center of Excellence for Elderly Trans (CEET) Program, is dedicated to improving the lives of elderly transgender individuals who are 50+, living with or at risk of HIV. CEET provides holistic support through case management, peer support, and healthcare navigation, while the TransLatin@ Coalition engages elders in civic participation and advocacy. Both organizations empower individuals to become leaders and advocate for their needs at the policy level, ultimately creating a more equitable future for the elderly transgender community.
Lastly, join us on December 12th 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Pacific Time for an engaging training designed to strengthen partnerships and collaborations between senior centers and HIV services to better serve diverse aging communities, including older adults living with HIV. This interactive session will provide actionable strategies to promote equity, expand outreach, and enhance the inclusivity of programs offered by senior centers. Participants will learn how to build meaningful relationships, leverage resources, and implement innovative practices that increase their center’s impact and relevance in today’s evolving landscape. Register today and join the efforts to create age-friendly, equitable environments that celebrate diversity and support healthy aging for all.
Click here to register!
