DOH Leon Observes National HIV/AIDS & Aging Awareness Day 

DOH Leon Recognizes National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day

Tallahassee, Fla.—The Florida Department of Health in Leon County (DOH Leon) recognizes September 18, 2022, as National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (NHAAAD).  Founded by the AIDS Institute, NHAAAD brings attention to the growing number of older Americans living long and full lives with HIV, and to their health and social needs. The annual NHAAD theme is “Aging is a part of life; HIV doesn’t have to be!”

The face of HIV/AIDS continues to be a graying one. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2018, over half (51%) of people in the United States and dependent areas with diagnosed HIV were aged 50 and older. In addition, people aged 50 and older accounted for 17% of the 37,968 new HIV diagnoses in 2018 in the United States and dependent areas.

“The good news is that we also get to recognize the immense progress that has been made and how people aged 50 and older with diagnosed HIV are living longer, healthier lives because of effective HIV testing and treatment,” said Brandi Knight, MPH, DOH Leon Health Administrator.

The DOH Leon HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Division encourages the community to get tested and engage in education and prevention practices—including the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).  Those who are living with HIV should take their prescribed medications to lower their risk of becoming ill and transmitting the virus to others.

For more information about HIV and free testing here in Leon County, call 850-404-6240 or 1-800-FLA-AIDS or visit KnowYourHIVStatus.com/

Visit The American Psychological Association for additional resources to learn about and bring awareness to the aging-related challenges of HIV prevention, testing, care, and treatment.

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