National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day is commemorated every year on September 18. According to surveys, many people having HIV are above 50 years of age, who have to face a number of medical and social challenges.
To look after these challenges, APLA Health, a nonprofit HIV service organization in the United States, has announced that it will work with government agencies, community stakeholders, and advocacy organizations to develop new strategies and objectives for two institutes in California for HIV and aging, which will take place in 2020.
APLA Health released the news a day before the National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day.
Today, there are many medical and social challenges faced by people who have HIV/AIDS and are aging. And the proposed meeting will help develop new strategies that could help improve the quality of life of people above 50 years of age with HIV.
Headquartered in California, APLA Heath’s mission is “to achieve health care equity and promote well-being for the LGBT and other underserved communities and people living with and affected by HIV.”
APLA Health CEO Craig Thompson said, “The success of drug treatments means people with HIV are living longer and more productive lives. The number of people aging with HIV is expanding at an unprecedented rate; however the planning, policy, and medical care for this population are failing to keep pace.
“APLA Health is taking the steps needed to address the challenges faced by those aging with HIV and work with government and community stakeholders throughout California to raise awareness and develop sustainable solutions to serve this growing population,” continued Thompson.
“This is a growing national issue and I’m excited to bring expertise and lessons learned from other jurisdictions in the United States to a California setting,” said Alex Vance of the ‘AIDS United,’ an organization that aims to end HIV epidemic in the United States.
Vance added, “California continues to lead the nation on issues affecting people living with HIV and APLA Health continues to be at the vanguard of community activism and clinical care.”
Amber Christ, the Directing Attorney of ‘Justice in Aging’ said, “APLA Health is taking a leadership role in the right direction. This initial step will add much needed momentum to address the unmet needs of this population. We’re excited to provide our policy and legal expertise on HIV and aging to this collaborative effort.”
Justice in Aging is a national organization that uses the power of law to fight senior poverty by securing access to affordable health care, economic security, and the courts for older adults with limited resources.
