National HIV/AIDS & Aging Awareness Day

Significant improvements in the effectiveness of HIV treatment have resulted in people living with HIV longer than ever before. Nearly half (45%) of Chicago House’s housing clients living with HIV are age 50 or older and 46.3% of all Chicagoans living with HIV are now age 50 or older (2019 CDPH HIV Surveillance report). Many of these long-term HIV/AIDS survivors lost much of their support network to the HIV epidemic, so experiences of complex post-traumatic stress disorder and isolation are all too common.

National HIV/AIDS & Aging Awareness Day was launched in 2008 to raise awareness due to the alarming increase in the number of HIV diagnoses among older adults and individuals over 50 living and aging with HIV. September 18th recognizes this day and the increased need for prevention, research and data focused on the aging community and medical understanding of the impact of HIV on the natural aging process.

Chicago House is committed to support all individuals impacted by HIV/AIDS and is actively working to understand the unique needs of individuals over 50 living and aging with HIV.