October Trends of Living Affected

Social Good: Igniting Passion and Innovation for a Better World

By Anjana Padmanabhan, Public Affairs Advisor, Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator

 

Editor’s Note: This week the AIDS.gov team is at the United States Conference on AIDS. We will return next week with highlights from the social media sessions. Today we have a guest post about another recent conference, The Social Good Summit.
 
Last week, global leaders gathered in New York City to discuss a wide spectrum of international issues at the highly anticipated annual United Nations General Assembly . But just days before the U.N. Assembly, New York and the Twitterverse were buzzing with another important global conversation sparked by the third annual Social Good Summit . Hosted by Mashable , 92nd Street Y, the United Nations Foundation, Ericsson, the United Nations Development Programme, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Summit was in full swing from September 22-24. Bloggers, social media wonks, and health and development experts alike crowded together to discuss how new media technologies can be applied to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

We’re living at a time where anyone can be a diplomat. All you have to do is hit send.” –United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, September 22, 2012

The electricity at the Summit was palpable. Passionate minds were immersed in discussion around one common goal: how can we unlock and maximize today’s social media tools to empower women, combat climate change, increase access to life-saving medicines and health education, end human trafficking, as well as promote peace?
This year, the Summit expanded the dialogue by hosting hubs in Beijing, China and Nairobi, Kenya. There were also meetups scheduled in 264 cities across the world, and people in over 150 countries tuned in to the livestream. It was no surprise that by the second day of the Summit the hashtag #SGSGlobal was used over 60,000 times and trended across Twitter with tweets in over 50 languages.

As the social media advisor for a major U.S. global health initiative, The U.S. Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), I was looking forward to learning about new technological platforms that governments, civil society organizations and entrepreneurs were using to expand their online presence and encourage a two-way dialogue with their constituencies.
There were a few sessions in particular that resonated with me.

Government ,” led by Todd Park, Chief Technology Officer of the United States. The ever-enthusiastic Park took to the stage and reinforced the government’s commitment to making information and data transparent and accessible to the American people. Park holds regular “hack-a-thons” and “datapaloozas” geared towards bridging the gap between tech entrepreneurs and government data. Health.data.gov is an example of the fruits of that labor, providing raw and aggregate data to help foster healthier communities across the United States. Park taught us that the word “innovation” can be synonymous with “government.”

The Social Good Summit was also the launching pad for a new public-private partnership created by The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in conjunction with The Huffington Post. The campaign named “The Big Push” will use technological platforms to rally global support to achieve major health goals. The Huffington Post has launched a dedicated webpage for the campaign where it will collect articles, stories and testimonials on the progress toward meeting these goals. The initiative is also backed by major Hollywood stars like Charlize Theron and Bono. The centerpiece to the campaign is, “a wall of portraits, in which citizens around the world add photos of themselves holding signs that demonstrate their commitment to fighting these diseases.” This is an exciting new way to gather people from across the world and allow them to be a part of the response. We need more campaigns like that that reach people at the grassroots level.

An initiative focused on child survival was also at the top of my list for notable sessions at the Social Media Summit. Launched by UNICEF, A Promise Renewed is an ambitious program that will unite governments and partners globally to advance the UN Secretary General’s movement Every Woman Every Child to end preventable child deaths and allow children to make it past their fifth birthday. Audiences rapidly shot off tweets and Facebook messages as Anthony Lake, Executive Director, UNICEF; Raj Shah, Administrator, USAID ; and Dr. Tedros Adhanom, Minister of Health, Ethiopia gave us statistics on the progress made and the challenges that remain to improving the lives of children worldwide. An initiative like “A Promise Renewed” encourages people to use technology to hold governments accountable for creating effective and sustainable programs that will bring us closer to reaching Millennium Development Goal targets by 2015.
Overall, the Summit demonstrated to me that we no longer need buy-in for why advancing social media is important. Today, the world is on board.

The Summit might be over, but I’ll continue doing my part using social media to share the successes and stories of lives saved through PEPFAR and fostering dialogue so that together, we can achieve an #AIDSfreeGeneration.

Reaching and Rising to New Heights

A Letter to the Editor and Call to Action: TRUTH Magazine
by Uriah Bell

Everywhere I go, in most any encounter, most every interview, people ask why I started TRUTH. And, in each instance, I give the same answer – because I don’t see my entire face on any publication, independent or otherwise. I don’t see Black, brown, yellow, gay, educated, influential without popularity. I don’t see men and women of color celebrated for more than their physique and sexuality. These are all the reasons I started TRUTH Magazine; but there’s one more, and if I’m to stand in my entire TRUTH, I must come clean about my other reason.
The other reason, albeit not the main reason I started this publication, is because I became very ill in 2002 due to complications with HIV. I had officially hit the lowest point in my life, and for a moment, I had given up. Instantly, I said goodbye to my passions, my dreams and my aspirations. The battle seemed useless and too much to endure, but then, something happened. I realized there was so much more to do, places to see, things to experience, differences to make – so much life to live. And I realized, beyond the pain in the eyes of my mother, sister and grandmother, I had been given something many people cannot claim – I’d been given a second chance.
People who have heard me speak, or who have conversed with me one-on-one have heard me say that HIV was a blessing. I stand by that. When you think you have life in your hands and then feel it disintegrate, only to watch it form into something greater, you no longer understand limits.

“People who have heard me speak, or who have conversed with me one-on-one, have heard me say that HIV was a blessing. I stand by that.”

Today is September 27, 2012, National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, and this can be considered my call to action. Furthermore, this can be considered my testimony to hold on to your life and your purpose, to understand your rights, your responsibility, and continue to educate yourselves and each other. I’m not at all afraid, nor ashamed of my status. In fact, I’m convinced it’s both part of my purpose and the reason I’m still here. Sure, I went through all the normal and expected stages – denial, regret, disappointment, fear – but never anger. I’ve been blessed to have an amazing support system, I have a great relationship with my physicians, and I know and understand my rights around health care – something that’s recently become easier thanks to President Obama.
I want each of you; gay, lesbian, straight, trans, Black, white, Latino/a, Asian, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, young, old, in denial, positive, negative, out, and all that’s in between to find and be a support system. Learn what’s going on in your towns, cities and states. Learn legislature, community based organizations, AIDS service organizations, medical advancements, volunteer opportunities, etc. Today is just one day, but your presence could make it life-changing for someone. October 15 is National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, and December 1st is World AIDS Day, but there’s more than 300 days remaining in every year, and we can be neither silent nor still on those days.
So now you know the full reason I started TRUTH. Yes, it is and will always be for you, the community, but selfishly, it is also for me. I’d be ignoring my calling and the blessing of a second chance if I didn’t do something purposeful. Recognize your purpose, and flaunt it. As a Black man, I stand by the mantra of the Black AIDS Institute that HIV is affecting our people – it’s become our problem, we are the solution.
Be well. Be purposeful. Be deliberate. Be the change.
Uriah

Latino AIDS Commission Focus Groups in Arkansas

The Latino AIDS Commission of New York City collaborated with local community based organization, The Living Affected Corporation (www.livingaffected.blogspot.com) as well as with additional area groups in a capacity building effort utilizing focus groups. The exercises surveyed the use of social media among Black MSM statewide during a series of focus groups held September 25- 26, in Fayetteville, Little Rock, and West Memphis. Under the direction of Willie Rhodes, LGBTQ Outreach Coordinator, Arkansas Department of Health and facilitated by Lina Cherfas and Aunsha Hall, the organization sought to assist Rhodes in his work in marginalized communities throughout the state.

The focus groups were used as a further community discovery process as a conduit to disseminating future HIV/ AIDS risk reduction messages and themes that could be considered for usage from a social media platform. "We felt that it was a timely collaboration since Hispanic Heritage Month was recognized September 15 and Latino Awareness Day, October 15," said organization CEO, Diedra Levi. She continued, " its vital that we continue to outreach into our states changing demographics and the shifting needs of health disparities within them." A full report will be compiled and possibly presented before the Arkansas Planning Group later this year. The Living Affected organization is planning to update its website and move forward with additional social media campaigns as apart of its mixed media initiative.

For more information contact: willie.rhodes@arkansas.gov or info@lacorponline.org

Igniting Reasons to Live 2012

HELP FAIR Soars to Shift HIV/AIDS Paradigm into a HEFTE Village

Local community based organization, STRILITE and its counterpart The Living Affected Corporation served over 100 participants during its debut event, The HELP Fair, September 28, inside the First Presbyterian Church of Argenta in North Little Rock. The event which was designed to gather local social service providers in a one stop shop collaboration for participants who also could also access sexual health screenings, obtain a free bag of groceries and be served lunch on the premises. The event was in conjunction with recognizing National Gay Men's HIV Awareness Day, September 27 and was funded through a grant as an awareness day activity through the Arkansas Department of Health. "I was elated and overjoyed at the response from those seeking this event," said Jonathan Griggs, STRILITE President. " I wasn't sure what to expect, but I felt that our hard work and non-stop commitment to making this happen would pay off." According to organizers, individuals began lining up at the site at 8 am, four hours prior to the event taking place at noon. Service providers ranging from Workforce Services which brought their mobile intake unity, SNAP program which offers food stamp access to entities such as AFLAC were present to disseminate information on their respective services and offer supportive materials.

Additional information on the mission of the group and its umbrella entity, The Living Affected Corporation was also a centerpiece of the event. "We felt that we had to highlight that dealing with individuals holistically and enlisting other social services are vital in addressing HIV and AIDS," said D. Levi, LA Corp CEO. Griggs added, " we are excited about this chance to bring to life our "HEFTE" concept which addresses housing, education, food, treatment and employment in relation to either linking or retaining individuals into HIV/AIDS care." He concluded, "through our research we've determined that these social determinants must be apart of the health care mix if we are to adequately make some impact within the community." Ultimately the organization believes that a "HEFTE Village" is the answer to shifting the paradigm in dealing with HIV and AIDS. After assessing the impact of this event, the group plans to explore if the concept could be leveraged into a DEBI style intervention or perhaps become a state model in lieu of the BAI Testing Tour. The event resulted in over 150 HIV/AIDS/STD screenings and 90 plus bags of groceries given to participants. Volunteers and supporters assisted with packing and delivering groceries to awaiting cars, serving lunch, parking cars, testing, and ushering participants through the event. The group is underway with planning HELP Fair 2.0 to commemorate World AIDS Day, December 1, 2012. Sponsors, contributions and in-kind gifts are being sought to add to the planning of the second part of the event.

The group's purpose serves as a sub-grantee of ADH as well as the conduit of the HIV Prevention module to serve same gender loving men having sex with men population. For more information on volunteer opportunities contact Griggs at either 855-STRILITE( 855-787-4583) or 501.379.8203

September Falling

New Media – Twitter – Remember National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

 

By Deb LeBel, Partnerships Specialist, AIDS.gov

 

Today, many people in the HIV community and beyond will observe the fifth annual National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. In the midst of HIV testing events, conferences, and other events in local communities, it is appropriate to stop today and remember the place of men who have sex with men (MSM) in the ongoing history of the epidemic.
Just over 30 years ago, on June 5, 1981, the report of a new unnamed illness affecting five gay men trained the world’s attention on the epidemic. Since then, the disparate impact of HIV on MSM has been an integral part of the history of the epidemic (check out this timeline).
To recognize that history, five years ago, the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA) founded this HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in order to “help gay men remember how much we have accomplished together in the fight against HIV/AIDS, remember the quarter-million lovers and brothers we have lost, and renew our commitment to ending what is now an endable epidemic.”

We have reached a historic point in the response to this epidemic. Today, on National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, we are using new tools and new approaches to reach gay men with HIV prevention, testing, and treatment information.
Recently the National Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition (NBGMAC) held a Twitter town hall for over 100 young Black MSM (YBMSM) and service providers who work with them. NBGMAC used Twitter to increase awareness of health policy issues affecting YBMSM and to mobilize Black gay men to prevent new infections and end the epidemic.

The Federal Digital Strategy encourages us to take a new approach to providing access to information and services–and to ask ourselves about how we can use new media to extend the reach of our work. How are you using new media to improve your outreach to MSM at risk for, or living with, HIV/AIDS?
Knowledge
I encourage you to look at recent developments and resources that inform how our nation addresses the prevention, care, and treatment needs of MSM. A few examples:

• The National HIV/AIDS Strategy calls for high-impact prevention efforts to make a difference in the epidemic among MSM (among other key populations). National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is an opportunity to review the Strategy’s call to action and to help us find the role each of us can play in making the Strategy real.

• Many scientific presentations at last summer’s International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012) are informing our knowledge of what works with men who are at higher risk for being infected or affected by HIV. Among the relevant sessions was the special symposium “The Lancet 2012 Special Theme Series: Men Who Have Sex with Men and HIV.” Check out this post to learn more about the session, including the research presented by Greg Millett, Senior Scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and CDC/HHS Liaison to White House Office of National AIDS Policy.In conference sessions and in the conference halls, attendees talked about the science and concerns around the healthcare needs of MSM. For a sample, listen to a conversation about addressing HIV disparities among black MSM between Dr. Ron Valdiserri, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Infectious Diseases and Director of the Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy at HHS, and Terrance Moore, Director of Policy and Health Equity at the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD ).

• CDC issued interim guidance on using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV infection among MSM. CDC also recently released a fact sheet on PrEP (PDF).

• CDC’s Testing Makes Us Stronger campaign assists local service providers and advocates by producing messages and materials to reach MSM with testing messages. CDC also offers this fact sheet on the reach of the epidemic among gay men (PDF).

With these and other resources—and the continued collaborative efforts of federal and non-federal partners— our history books will someday note the achievement of a year where our national health observances reflect the widest successes in our response to the epidemic among MSM.
You can follow the conversation about National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Twitter at #NGMHAAD .

Reaching for Rainbow Living

Health care law ensures consumers get clear, consistent information about health coverage

Because of the health care law, millions of Americans will have access to standardized, easy-to-understand information about health plan benefits and coverage. Insurance companies and employers are now required to provide consumers in the private health insurance market with a brief summary of what a health insurance policy or employer plan covers, called a Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC). Additionally, consumers will have access to a Uniform Glossary that defines insurance and medical terms in standard, consumer-friendly terms.

These tools will also assist employers in finding the best coverage for their business and employees.
“Thanks to the health care law, Americans will now get clear, consistent and comparable information when shopping for health coverage,” said Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “These new tools empower consumers to make informed decisions about their health coverage options and to choose the plan that is best for them, their families, and their business.”
The SBC includes a new comparison tool, called Coverage Examples, which is modeled on the Nutrition Facts label required for packaged food, that helps consumers compare coverage options by showing a standardized sample of what each health plan will cover for two common medical situations—having a baby and managing type 2 diabetes.

The SBC will include information about the covered health benefits, out-of-pocket costs, and the network of providers. The glossary defines terms commonly used in the health insurance market, such as “deductible” and “co-pay,” using clear language.
Before today, people often lacked uniform and comparable information when shopping for coverage, often relying only on marketing materials to make decisions. Starting this fall, consumers will receive the SBC free of charge and in writing from the consumers’ insurance company or employer. This information can be requested at any time, but it will also be made available when shopping for, enrolling in or renewing coverage. It will also be provided whenever information in the SBC changes significantly.

The SBC will be available beginning today for consumers in the individual health insurance market. For enrollees in group health plans enrolling during an open enrollment period, it will be available during the next open enrollment period that starts on or after Sept. 23, 2012. For enrollees who enroll outside of an open enrollment period, it will be available at the start of the next plan year that begins on or after Sept. 23, 2012.

The SBC and Glossary were developed in collaboration with the Department of Labor, Department of Treasury, consumer groups, the insurance industry, State Insurance Commissioners, and other stakeholders.

For more information on today’s announcement, please visit:
http://www.healthcare.gov/law/features/rights/sbc/index.html
For a sample SBC, please see: http://cciio.cms.gov/resources/files/sbc-sample.pdf (PDF - 530 KB)
For the SBC template, please visit: http://cciio.cms.gov/resources/files/sbc-template.pdf (PDF - 475 KB)
For the Uniform Glossary, please visit: http://cciio.cms.gov/resources/files/Files2/02102012/uniform-glossary-final.pdf (PDF - 139 KB)

September Bounce and Roll

Know Now Campaign Develops Local Color

In case you haven't being keeping up, the "Know Now" HIV prevention campaign has been ebbing and flowing since its step off as the centerpiece of National HIV Awareness Day a few months back. The campaign was met with a bit of a sour note as a competing ad entitled "Know Not" was created as a counter to the fact that the campaign lacked local images or recognition of same sex couples from a positive prospective. Wednesday, ad company Advantage Communications "retooled" and further developed the campaign using local same gender loving men whom were recruited to be apart of a photo shoot. "I was glad to be apart of the shoot and felt that what we accomplished was what was needed to as a "buy in" for the designated population being sought." said Kevin Holmes. Holmes actively posted notices concerning the shoot as well as recruited from his friendship network. During the shoot participants were fashioned in numerous outfits and scenarios that were intended to mirror gay life. The group STRILITE spearheaded the "Know Not" effort as a means of bringing the issue of cultural competency to those developing the project on behalf of the

Arkansas Department of Health. Jonathan G. of STRILITE stated, " we were glad to learn that AC wanted us to be apart of the process and invited us to help find models. This is what should have happened perhaps from the beginning before we produced our rebuttal video." He continued, " hopefully we are off to having a campaign that will be high impact while delivering a sound message that will seen throughout the community." Just as a reminder of that little production, COP 24/7 is embedding it here for a re-look which also included yours truly as a supporter. This forum was also on the scene for the photo shoot and will share an update next week on who made the cut as models and further development status of the project. Stay locked and loaded to COP 24/7, come follow us, opt-in e-mail or bookmark us to stay in the info loop!!!

 

Through the Affordable Care Act, Americans with Medicare will save $5,000 through 2022

5.5 million seniors saved money on prescription drugs and 19 million got free preventive care in 2012

 

Because of the health care law – the Affordable Care Act – the average person with traditional Medicare will save $5,000 from 2010 to 2022, according to a report today from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. People with Medicare who have high prescription drug costs will save much more – more than $18,000 – over the same period.
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius also announced that, because of the health care law, more than 5.5 million seniors and people with disabilities saved nearly $4.5 billion on prescription drugs since the law was enacted. Seniors in the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap known as the donut hole have saved an average of $641 in the first eight months of 2012 alone. This includes $195 million in savings on prescriptions for diabetes, over $140 million on drugs to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and $75 million on cancer drugs so far this year. Also in the first eight months of 2012, more than 19 million people with original Medicare received at least one preventive service at no cost to them.

“I am pleased that the health care law is helping so many seniors save money on their prescription drug costs,” Secretary Sebelius said. “A $5,000 savings will go a long way for many beneficiaries on fixed incomes and tight budgets.”
The health care law includes benefits to make Medicare prescription drug coverage more affordable. In 2010, anyone with Medicare who hit the prescription drug donut hole received a $250 rebate. In 2011, people with Medicare who hit the donut hole began receiving a 50 percent discount on covered brand-name drugs and a discount on generic drugs. These discounts and Medicare coverage gradually increase until 2020, when the donut hole will be closed.

The health care law also makes it easier for people with Medicare to stay healthy. Prior to 2011, people with Medicare had to pay for many preventive health services. These costs made it difficult for people to get the health care they needed. For example, before the health care law passed, a person with Medicare could pay as much as $160 for a colorectal cancer screening. Because of the Affordable Care Act, many preventive services are now offered free to beneficiaries (with no deductible or co-pay) so the cost is no longer a barrier for seniors who want to stay healthy and treat problems early.

In 2012 alone, 19 million people with traditional Medicare have received at least one preventive service at no cost to them. This includes 1.9 million who have taken advantage of the Annual Wellness Visit provided by the Affordable Care Act – almost 600,000 more than had used this service by this point in the year in 2011. In 2011, an estimated 32.5 million people with traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage received one or more preventive benefits free of charge.

For state-by-state information on savings in the donut hole, please visit: http://downloads.cms.gov/files/Summary-Chart-2010-2012.pdf
For state-by-state information on utilization of free preventive services, please visit: http://downloads.cms.gov/files/preventive-services-data.pdf
For more information on the estimate that the average Medicare beneficiary will save $5,000 from 2010 to 2022 as a result of the health care law, please visit: http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/2012/beneficiarysavings/ib.shtml

 

Up to the Challenge of Living

National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day: Recognizing the Challenges of Growing Older with HIV/AIDS

 

By Grant Colfax, MD, Director, Office of National AIDS Policy (Cross-posted from The White House Office of National AIDS Policy Blog)

 

Today marks the fifth observance of National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day. It is a day where we recognize that while the progress made in reducing HIV mortality and morbidity is remarkable, people aging with HIV face multiple, unique challenges. By 2015 over half of all people living with HIV in the US will be over age 50. A major reason for the ‘greying’ of HIV in the US is due to the tremendous success of medications that have dramatically increased the lifespans of people living with HIV.

About 10% of new HIV infections in the United States occur among persons over 50. HIV prevention among older adults is complicated because clinicians are less likely to consider the possibility of HIV infection in this population. Part of the reason for this is that the overwhelming majority of new HIV infections in the US occur among younger populations. However, decreased testing rates mean that older adults are more likely than younger adults to be diagnosed later in their disease progression (i.e. more likely to be diagnosed with AIDS less than a year after diagnosis).
Racial and ethnic disparities observed in the US HIV epidemic overall are reflected among older persons living with HIV. The rates of HIV/AIDS among people over 50 are 12 times higher for African-Americans and 5 times higher for Latinos compared with whites, which has implications for life expectancy as well as HIV transmission because black and Latino populations generally are less likely to have access to clinical care.

While more people aging with HIV are living healthier, more productive lives than ever before, growing older with HIV may present multiple medical challenges. Because the immune systems of people living with HIV are constantly fighting infection, they are more prone to ongoing inflammation which is associated with co-morbid conditions associated with aging such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and cancer. Liver disease, often the result of co-infection with hepatitis C, is prevalent. Decreased bone density is also common, potential due to combination of the normal aging process, medication side effects, and the direct effects of the virus itself

Over the past several years, the US government has drawn attention to the issue of HIV and aging. In 2010, President Obama released the first comprehensive National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States. HIV and aging was among the issues outlined in the Strategy. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration on Aging (AoA), the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as well as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have also moved the HIV and aging agenda forward.
In the past year, HHS AoA held a webinar on (The Graying of HIV/AIDS) to provide information on seniors living with HIV and seniors at risk for HIV. HHS AoA also produced and released a toolkit to inform older adults about HIV risks and to encourage older adults to know their HIV status. The VA continues to be at the forefront of HIV and research through ongoing implementation of the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS). VACS, a study that includes HIV-positive as well as HIV-negative veterans, follows participants over time and evaluates the health of veterans. Much of what we have learned about HIV and aging has arisen from VACS analyses.

HIV and aging has also been a major focus at National Institutes of Health (NIH). Over the past year, the NIH has released several research funding announcements specific to HIV and aging and in July NIH released HIV and aging was one of the topic areas during the International HIV/AIDS Conference. In addition, the NIH Office of AIDS Research recently released a report on HIV and aging. The comprehensive report, based upon consultation from an expert working group, 1) summarizes knowledge and state the problem in research area; 2) identifies priority research areas; 3) points out specific knowledge gaps; and 4) suggest research to address gaps.

Progress has been made in research and programs with regard to aging and HIV, but more remains to be done. As part of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, Federal efforts will continue to help people aging with HIV not only live longer, but maximize their health and wellnes