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HIV and Aging

Graphic design a red ribbon with silhouettesIn 2019, more than half of all people with HIV in the United States were age 50 or older, and about 17 percent of new infections occurred in this age group, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Older people with HIV face unique challenges and have a higher risk of certain comorbidities, such as neurocognitive decline, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers. Research to identify and address the long-term health needs of people aging with HIV across the care continuum is necessary to support this increasing population and their care providers. NIH supports basic, translational, and clinical research across the Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs) to increase understanding of these comorbidities and their prevention and management, as well as their relationship to aging and HIV. HIV and aging is also a key focus of the FY 2021–2025 NIH Strategic Plan for HIV and HIV-Related Research (NIH HIV Strategic Plan). This webpage provides information on NIH research priorities related to HIV and aging. In addition, this page provides links to clinical resources, resources on HIV and aging at various ICOs, funding information, and other resources.

Join NIH, along with federal and community partners, for two upcoming events that will highlight the critical need to advance research in support of people aging with HIV.

A virtual research workshop, “HIV and Aging Research: Current Landscape and Opportunities,” scheduled for Tuesday, September 5, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. ET, will survey the current landscape of HIV and aging research and explore ways to identify future research directions to address the needs of people aging with HIV. View the agenda and register. View a Quick Reference on HIV and Aging Efforts Across NIH. Individuals with disabilities who need reasonable accommodations to participate in this event should contact OARevents@nih.gov by August 29.

A hybrid panel discussion, "Current Landscape and Opportunities for Federal HIV and Aging Efforts,” will take place virtually and in person at the U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS (USCHA) on Friday, September 8, 2 p.m.–4 p.m. ET. The discussion will explore how federal agencies, the HIV community, researchers, and clinicians can work together to prioritize interdisciplinary research and training and implementation strategies to address the needs of people aging with HIV. In-person attendance is open only to individuals registered for USCHA. USCHA registrants who plan to attend in person do not need to register separately for this event. Virtual registration is open to any individual, regardless of their attendance at USCHA. View the agenda, and register for the virtual component; registration has been extended to August 31. Individuals with disabilities who need reasonable accommodations to participate virtually should contact OARevents@nih.gov by August 25. 

HIV and Aging Signature Program

The NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR) launched the HIV and Aging Signature Program in 2022 to meet increasing public health needs as people with HIV age and to catalyze interdisciplinary research and training at the intersection of HIV and aging. OAR has also convened a working group co-led by the NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA) that endeavors to link NIH, people aging with HIV and their community advocates, researchers, and relevant U.S. government agency partners in discussions to foster collaboration, identify research gaps and opportunities, facilitate integrative research and training, and promote faster implementation of research results. Representatives from ICOs across NIH have signed on to participate in the NIH working group to represent the multifaceted HIV and aging portfolio. 

In conjunction with the United States Conference on HIV/AIDS (USCHA), the NIH OAR HIV and Aging Working Group is planning a virtual HIV and aging scientific workshop, “HIV and Aging Research: Current Landscape and Opportunities,” on September 5, and a hybrid community-researcher session at USCHA, “Current Landscape and Opportunities for Federal HIV and Aging Efforts: A Panel Discussion,” on September 8. More details coming soon.

ICOs participating in the NIH OAR HIV and Aging Working Group include:

This page last reviewed on August 30, 2023