06/05/2026
Today is HIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day. A day we honor and uplift long-term HIV survivors—who faced uncertainty, stigma, and unimaginable loss, yet continued forward with courage and resilience. Their stories remind us how far we’ve come in the fight against HIV and how much we still owe to those who paved the way through advocacy, education, and community.
HLTSAD coincides with a significant historical milestone. The anniversary of the first official reporting of what became known as the AIDS epidemic was on June 5, 1981, when the CDC first reported on five cases of a mysterious disease affecting young gay men. June 5, 1981, is considered the start of the AIDS pandemic.
Decades later, the narrative of HIV has evolved from a period of fear and stigma to one of hope and progress. Today, nearly 50% of people with HIV in the United States are over the age of 50. By 2030, this number rises to 70%. Yet, with aging comes new challenges: by 2030, more than 80% will have at least one age-related medical condition, such as cancer or heart disease. These statistics underscore an urgent public health issue that demands immediate attention and sustained action.
RESOURCES
• National Resource Center on HIV & Aging: aginghiv.org/
• ROC4Aging: roc4aging.org/
• The Well Project: thewellproject.org/
• US People Living with HIV Caucus: hivcaucus.org/