Illinois HIV Care Connect Presents Personal Stories of Healthy Aging with HIV

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - Health

In honor of Worlds AIDS Day, Illinois HIV Care Connect has developed a series of personal stories about HIV survivors aged 50+ who attest to leading healthy and fulfilling lives after receiving an HIV diagnosis. A feature of Illinois HIV Care Connect’s HIV and Aging Campaign, the stories of Gregory, Bonnie, Carmen, Milbert, Jeff and Lisa demonstrate these survivors’ ability to have fulfilling careers and personal relationships by taking their medications and contributing to a strong support community. The campaign’s website content and social media posts emphasize actions older adults with HIV can take to increase their chances of living long and healthy lives. The #HIVandAging Campaign is also visible on Illinois HIV Care Connect’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram social media platforms. An HIV and Aging Quiz offers an easy way to understand how to stay healthy while aging with HIV. “Each year, World AIDS Day is an opportune time to recognize the people who have benefitted from the outstanding strides the health care community has made in preventing and treating HIV,” said Michael Maginn, HIV prevention director, Illinois Public Health Association, which manages Illinois HIV Care Connect with funding from the Illinois Department of Public Health. “We have survivors who have lived 35 years or more with HIV. They’ve done so by getting tested and diagnosed, taking their medications, staying in care, and making their HIV undetectable and untransmittable.”

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