2026 Conference on Aging with HIV on Long Island: Advancing Care & Empowering Futures

Intended Audience: Healthcare Professionals, People with Lived Experience, Caregivers, Students, and Faculty     

The Santmann School of Health Sciences at Farmingdale State College is collaborating with Sun River Health and Northwell Health to host a conference that will explore the health needs of a growing population of people aging with HIV on Long Island. The conference will highlight the innovative programing and real-time data analysis sponsored by the NYSDOH AIDS Institute through its grant-funded pilot initiative, People Aging with HIV (PAWH). Central to this pilot is a syndemic approach to healthcare that emphasizes the nexus between HIV and overall patient health through viral load suppression, comorbidity management and the optimization of mental health and social connectedness. Beginning in 2023, this initiative now supports ten sites throughout New York State, including Sun River Health in Suffolk County and Northwell Health in Nassau County. 

The implications of living longer and managing comorbid health conditions pose new challenges to the HIV population. The development of effective antiretroviral treatment (ART) has contributed to a growing number of long-term HIV survivors nationwide. According to NYSDOH data, nearly 60% of people living with HIV in New York State are over 50, a number which is expected to increase to 70% by 2030.  While we celebrate the successful management of viral load suppression, this growing 50+ HIV population is confronted with a myriad of health and wellness challenges that continue to impact life expectancy. The goal of this conference is to raise awareness and encourage connectivity between the aging community and the HIV community. Through shared ideas, stories and resources we can begin to develop effective strategies to support this growing population which, in turn, will strengthen the overall health and wellness of  the Long Island community at large.