The Silent Stigma: The Intersections of Ageing with HIV

The epidemiological landscape of HIV has transformed dramatically over the past several decades. Once a terminal diagnosis and now a chronic, manageable condition, HIV is no longer the death sentence it once was due to the medical advancements of effective antiretroviral therapy (ART). This shift has led to significant demographic changes, where in 2010 over 50% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the United States were aged 50 or older (O’Keefe et al., 2010) and this is forecast to rise to 70% by 2030 (Wing 2017). While these unquestionable advancements denote remarkable progress, they also bring with them a series of unexpected and under researched challenges for those ageing with HIV, who often face an intersection of biological, social, and systemic issues.

This special edition, focusing on ageing and HIV, aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of the bio-psycho-social challenges while highlighting successes, resilience, and innovations within the community to inform future care, research and policy. Looking ahead, the field must focus on innovative approaches that address these intersecting challenges. Research and policy should emphasize developing age-specific interventions, fostering social support networks, and integrating care systems to manage chronic conditions alongside HIV. Enhanced public health strategies, are key to addressing broader social determinants of health and improving outcomes and require a solid research foundation. This special collection seeks to illuminate these critical issues while celebrating successes and identifying pathways for continued progress. By exploring the intersection of biological, social, and systemic factors, the collection aims to offer actionable insights and innovative solutions to improve the quality of life for older adults living with HIV.

We are seeking a wide range of manuscripts to reflect the diverse nature of the field. Taking a holistic view, papers are welcome from across the scientific disciplines from cellular level research through to societal and structural policy research. Participatory research methods are encouraged as are community engaged and led research, however, research not including community partners will still be considered. All research should have a real world application on be able to direct future research to address real world challenges, health issues or difficulties experiences by older adults living with HIV. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are welcomed. We encourage innovative strategies employed to address the complexities within the population.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review

Keywords: HIV and aging, Antiretroviral therapy (ART), Bio-psycho-social challenges, Chronic conditions management, Public health strategies, Social determinants of health Age-specific interventions, Community-led research, Quality of life improvements

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.