Ageism is a persistent problem that cuts across many of the important issues of our time, and the world’s response to HIV and AIDS is no exception!
FACTS:
- One in four people diagnosed with HIV in Canada is 50 or older.
- In many communities (in Canada, the US and Western Europe), the majority of people living with HIV are older adults.
Despite these facts, older adults living with HIV are being overlooked in health strategies, planning and policy-making. Their unique experiences (many have been at the forefront of combatting the pandemic and caring for the dying) are being forgotten, and the evolving health and social uncertainties they face are barely on the radar.
Realize, along with some of our international partners, planned to organize an information and networking zone in the Global Village at the International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam in July, focused on the what it means to age with HIV. It was going to be called the Grey Zone. Unfortunately, we were turned down by the organizers. The lack of Conference attention focused on the critical issues of HIV and aging is staggering.
Still, we were undeterred. We know how critical it is to get the issues of older adults with HIV on the global agenda.
We approached our friends in the rights and HIV community, who helped us secure an opportunity in the Global Village to champion the concerns of older adults with HIV as a Human Rights issue.
Now, we need your help! Please give what you can to make sure that the voices of older adults living with HIV are heard. When the world meets this July in Amsterdam, to think about the future of the global HIV response, make sure older adults with HIV are part of the story. Help us fight #AIDSageism!
Donate today!
Other Ways to Help!
- Take a picture of yourself with our campaign hashtag
- Post the photo to your Facebook and Twitter accounts using the hashtag #AIDSageism
Don’t forget to tag us! @HIVandRehab
