National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day #HIVandAging
September 18
The AIDS Institute leads this observance day.
This day brings attention to the growing number of people living long and full lives with HIV and to their health and social needs.
The AIDS Institute invites you to join us for National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (NHAAD), observed annually on September 18th. National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness day focuses on the challenging issues facing the aging population with regards to HIV prevention, testing, care and treatment. In addition, there is an increased need for prevention, research, and data targeting the aging population, medical understanding of the aging process and its impact on HIV/AIDS.
The campaign targets:
- People living with HIV (PLWH) who are aging with the disease or already over 50 at the time of their initial diagnosis,
- Increasing the use of protection from HIV infection, especially among the baby boomer population, and
- The increasing number of grandparents becoming the primary guardians for children who have lost their parent(s) to HIV/AIDS.
In an effort to continually expand awareness about HIV among the aging population, organizations and community members are invited to develop, implement and participate in awareness activities and events on or around September 18th.
Past examples of activities and ways organizations and individuals can become involved:
- Host a free HIV screening event
- Encourage and promote HIV testing among older adults
- Provide HIV prevention and education messages to older adults
- Provide resources for linkage to treatment and care for HIV infected older adults
- Organize health fairs that focus on HIV/AIDS and healthcare in older adults
- Encourage older adults to practice safer methods to prevent HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s)
- Conduct events at senior community centers or nursing home facilities
- Talk to an older adult in your family about getting tested
- Engage leaders in the faith community to participate in local, regional, or national events on or around NHAAD
- Highlight how your programs can incorporate HIV education for older adults
Reaching Aging Adults Living with or at Risk of HIV—A New Media and Technology Strategy
The AIDS Institute’s “Reaching Aging Adults Living with or at Risk of HIV—A New Media and Technology Strategy” provides new media training opportunities, education, resources, information, and technology capacity building support targeting adults over 50 living with HIV or at risk of HIV infection. TAI seeks to accomplish an increased online and mobile technology usage and enhanced collaboration among targeted older adult users.
The National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day Planning Committee meets quarterly to develop and implement ongoing activities related to NHAAD. Please contact Michelle Scavnicky at MScavnicky@TheAIDSInstitute.org if you are interested in participating.
Archives:
- In recognition of the 5th annual NHAAAD, The AIDS Institute hosted an educational webinar, click here to read more: HIV and Aging Webinar Blog Post 2012
- Link to the 2011 AIDS.gov blog post for NHAAAD: http://go.usa.gov/0od