Aging with HIV: The New Challenges Facing Long-Term Survivors

As antiretroviral medications have become more effective, millions of individuals living with HIV across Africa and beyond have experienced remarkable improvements in survival rates. Once considered a death sentence, HIV infection now allows many to reach old age, which brings unique health and social challenges. For instance, Joseph Malagho, a 70-year-old man in Uganda, exemplifies this new reality. Despite his advanced age and health complications like tuberculosis, he remains a vulnerable survivor in impoverished conditions, with limited access to basic necessities such as food, clean water, and medicines. His story highlights how the success of HIV treatments has transformed the demographic landscape, creating a growing aging population of people living with HIV that health systems are unprepared to support.

This shift poses critical questions for healthcare policies and community support systems. As these individuals age, they face issues related to chronic diseases, mental health, mobility, and social isolation. The case of Malagho underscores the importance of expanding healthcare infrastructure, social services, and targeted interventions to meet the needs of aging HIV survivors. Equally important is addressing the socioeconomic factors that exacerbate their vulnerability, including poverty and limited access to healthcare facilities. The global health community emphasizes the necessity of integrating HIV care with aging and chronic disease management to improve quality of life for this growing population. Recognizing and planning for the aging of people living with HIV is essential to ensure they can enjoy health and dignity in their later years.