HIV Long Term Survivors Awareness Day (HLTSD) is observed annually on June 5th, the anniversary of the first official Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) on what would later become known as AIDS in 1981. HLTSAD is an opportunity to celebrate the resilience of long-term survivors living with HIV and highlight their journeys and challenges.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), of the nearly 1.1 million people living with diagnosed HIV in the United States and dependent areas in 2022, 64% were aged 45 and older. “Even when HIV is well-controlled, people may develop aging-related conditions at a younger age. People living with HIV are significantly more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than people without HIV. Older people living with HIV also have an increased risk of dementia, diabetes, osteoporosis, frailty, some cancers, and falls. It is common for older adults with HIV to experience mental illness, especially depression and addiction, and they tend to be more isolated,” says the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

Aging Well is a program of CAP that fosters a participant-driven community in the greater Portland, Oregon, metro area, together with our partners and collaborators. They create a sense of hope and belonging among aging adults living with or affected by HIV.

Each year, Aging Well hosts a Long Term Survivors Day Picnic in Portland, Oregon. Attendees gather together to create and nurture community, share delicious food, and connect over shared experiences. Here are some photos from the 2023 picnic!