HIV Is No Longer A Death Sentence, But What Does This Actually Mean?

In the 1980s, a diagnosis of HIV was almost like a death sentence, but today with effective and accessible treatment, it no longer is. What this means is that we are seeing an increase in the population of older adults who are living with HIV. In fact, UNAIDS estimates that the number of people aged 50 years or older with HIV infection globally has increased from 5.4 million in 2015 to 8.1 million in 2020. But what are the challenges and stigma that older adults living with HIV still face today? Are we adequately considering their experiences and their needs as we implement policies to support older adults living with HIV?

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