People with HIV are living longer. What was once considered a deadly disease, HIV is now a manageable, chronic condition that allows a nearly normal lifespan, thanks in large part to the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) and expanded access to HIV treatment services and medical advancements. In 2018, 46.1 percent of RWHAP clients were aged 50 years and older. Of RWHAP clients aged 50 years and older receiving HIV medical care, 91.5 percent were virally suppressed.

As people with HIV age, their health care and social needs change. All members of the health care team can assist in the care and treatment as people age with HIV. Over the last year, HRSA’s HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) has been working with RWHAP recipients, subrecipients, and providers to identify and share effective strategies to meet the unique needs of this growing population. As part of this effort, we recently released two new reference guides to assist health care professionals as their population of patients aging with HIV grows. 

Incorporating New Elements of Care: This reference guide identifies commonly occurring health care and social needs of people aging with HIV and highlights the screenings and assessments for these needs. It serves as a starting point for health care teams as they build and expand their knowledge and practice of serving people aging with HIV.

Putting Together the Best Health Care Team: This reference guide discusses how all members of the health care team can contribute to the care of people aging with HIV. Specifically, this guide identifies roles, responsibilities, staff training, and resources for the health care team to build their capacity and may assist the health care team as they build and expand their knowledge and practice of serving people aging with HIV.

We encourage all organizations providing HIV care and treatment services to continue your efforts to address the needs of people aging with HIV. As part of those efforts, please share these new resources with all members of your health care team to support the needs of people aging with HIV. For additional RWHAP clinical care guidelines and resources, visit https://hab.hrsa.gov/clinical-quality-management/clinical-care-guidelines-and-resources.