Christine Quinn Issues Proclamation For National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day

New York, NY — Speaker Christine Quinn joins Council Members Jessica S. Lappin, Maria del Carmen Arroyo, Rosie Mendez, Daniel Dromm, Jimmy Van Bramer, and leadership of AIDS Community Research Initiative of America (ACRIA), Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), the GRIOT Circle and Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Elders (SAGE), in a call to action for the fourth annual National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (NHAAAD), Sunday, September 18.  Speaker Quinn will issue a proclamation on behalf of the New York City Council to raise attention to the critical issues faced by older New Yorkers living with and at risk of HIV.

The Speaker states, "This day serves to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and the prevention, testing and treatment needs of our aging population.  Working together we can end this devastating disease for people of all ages."

According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 75% of HIV-positive New Yorkers are now 40 and older, and more than a third are 50 or older.  Women over age 50 comprise a growing percentage of new HIV diagnoses among older adults.

By 2015, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that over half of the 1.2 million Americans living with HIV will be over the age of 50.  Yet our nation is not prepared for the medical and social implications of this growing population. Existing research on appropriate treatment is meager, and HIV and AIDS stigma are widespread among older communities. Moreover,  the myth that older adults are not sexually active causes a barrier to prevention and care.

The United States needs to increase response to social services and research on aging with HIV, prevention programs geared towards older adults, as well as culturally competent training for care-providers.

"GMHC has been highlighting this trend and last year issued a report, 'Growing Older With the Epidemic: Aging and HIV' to better emphasize solutions for this critical problem," said Janet Weinberg, Chief Operating Officer of GMHC.  "We will continue to work with our elected officials and local leadership to address the complexities of aging and HIV."

Representatives from ACRIA, GMHC, the GRIOT Circle and SAGE are participating in  activities for NHAAAD, some of which are listed below:

• Sunday, September 18, 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Free HIV Testing by GMHC at Radi Star Karaoke, 3 West 35th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues.  The Karaoke event, from 6:00 pm to 12:00 am, is a fundraiser for the Somwa Foundation which sponsors GMHC's annual holiday party for families in December.
• Monday, September 19, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm, NHAAAD National Webinar, includes guest speakers from ACRIA:  Steve Karpiak, PhD will present an "Overview of Data Showing Trends in the HIV-positive Aging Population," and "Issues Related to Care;"and Hanna Tessema, MPH will present on "HIV Prevention and Outreach Challenges." The webinar is hosted by the AIDS Institute.
• Monday, September 19, ACRIA with the American Academy of HIV Medicine and the American Geriatrics Society will announce the release next month of "Recommended Treatment Strategies for Clinicians Managing Older Patients with HIV."
• Wednesday, September 21,  Steve Karpiak, PhD of ACRIA will present "Successful Multi-morbidity Management: What You Need to Know About the Older Adult with HIV" at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation in Miami, Florida.
• Thursday, September 22, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, Free HIV Testing by GMHC at the Senior Health Benefits and Entitlement Fair, River Bank State Park, 145th Street and Riverside Drive. The fair is hosted by NYC Housing Authority and NYC Department of Aging. 
• Friday, September 23, Steve Karpiak, PhD of ACRIA will present "HIV & Aging: A Major Shift in How We Care for Older Adults with HIV" as part of the HIV & Aging National Conference at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston, Massachusetts.

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GMHC is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS.  We provide prevention and care services to men, women and families that are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in New York City.  We advocate for scientific, evidence-based public health solutions for hundreds of thousands worldwide.

For information about our Partners, please visit:

ACRIA
The GRIOT Circle
SAGE