Olympian Greg Louganis Shares Personal Experience on Aging with HIV Exclusively on HIV-Age.org
September 17th, 2014 - Washington, DC: On the eve of National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day, HIV-Age.org today
announced the addition of a first-person narrative by Olympian star Greg Louganis on his personal experience of aging with HIV. Louganis
was diagnosed with HIV in 1988, just six months before his second triumphant appearance at the Olympic Games.
Mr. Louganis celebrates his unexpected longevity in his editorial, giving credit to both medical advancements and positive
attitude. He states ".in addition to the growing treatment options, I think another secret to my surviving and thriving is that I
didn't allow my HIV/AIDS to take over as an obsession in my life. It was and still is only a mere part of me. It does not define me."
While Mr. Louganis celebrates the successes of HIV treatment advances and his subsequent longevity, he is very open about
challenges that come with aging with HIV, especially his financial struggles.
"We are honored that Mr. Louganis would share his intimate thoughts, circumstances and challenges with us," said
Jonathan Appelbaum, MD, AAHIVS, member of the HIV-Age.org editorial board and director of Internal Medical Education at Florida
State University College of Medicine. "Despite his historic success and notoriety, he is experiencing many of the same
personal struggles that many older HIV patients face."
In the editorial, Mr. Louganis states "I find this is a struggle with many older people living with HIV/AIDS. We worry about
housing and living expenses, insurance, and medical maintenance. This is not unlike the worries of the majority of older Americans. The
difference is they were expecting to live to a ripe old age."
At age 54, Mr. Louganis is one of many older Americans living with HIV. By 2015, half of the U.S. HIV population will be
age 50 and older.
HIV-Age.org has been created as part of the HIV and Aging Consensus Project, developed to assess how the presence of both
HIV and common age-associated diseases alter the optimal treatment of HIV, as well as other co-existing medical conditions. As part of
this project, in 2011, AAHIVM, AGS and ACRIA released Recommended Treatment Strategies for Clinicians Managing Older Patients with HIV.
The report, developed by a panel of experts with experience in the fields of HIV and Geriatrics, continues to provide guidance for
HIV clinicians and other health care providers who treat, diagnose and refer older patients with HIV disease.
HIV-Age.org includes editorials by leading clinicians, researchers and thought-leaders in the field, scientific spotlight
articles on the latest research and treatment options, thought-provoking case studies and useful medical and government resources and
links.
The development of HIV-Age.org was made possible through generous support from The Archstone Foundation. The grant was
awarded to the American Academy of HIV Medicine to administer this program.
To arrange an interview with Mr. Louganis or with a representative from AAHIVM, AGS, or ACRIA, please contact Amber McCracken
at 202-659-0699 x13 or amber@aahivm.org.
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ACRIA for more than 20 years has transformed lives and strengthened communities affected by HIV in the U.S. and around the world through research, education and advocacy. Through its ACRIA Center on HIV & Aging, the organization is recognized as an international leader on the emerging issue of HIV and older adults. http://www.acria.org
The American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM) is a professional organization that supports the HIV practitioner and promotes accessible, quality care for all Americans living with HIV disease. Our membership of HIV practitioners and credentialed providers give direct care to more than three-fourths of HIV patients in the US.www.aahivm.org/
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is a not-for-profit organization of close to 6,000 health professionals devoted to improving the health, independence and quality of life of all older people. The Society provides leadership to healthcare professionals, policy makers and the public by implementing and advocating for programs in patient care, research, professional and public education, and public policy. www.americangeriatrics.org
Contact:
Amber McCracken
202-659-0699 x13
amber@aahivm.org
Source: http://www.americangeriatrics.org/press/id:5156
Reproduced with permission - The American Geriatrics Society (AGS)"
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS)
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