HIV & Aging Scientific Working Group

The newly formed HIV and Aging Scientific Working Group (SWG) aims to advance multidisciplinary research addressing the complex needs of older people with HIV (PWH). The widespread use of effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) has dramatically increased life expectancy among PWH, transforming HIV into a chronic, manageable condition. As this population ages, however, many individuals experience age-related comorbidities, frailty, cognitive changes, polypharmacy, and functional decline—often earlier or more frequently than people without HIV.

Understanding the interaction between HIV, long-term ART exposure, biological aging, chronic inflammation, social determinants of health, and age-related conditions is an increasingly important public health priority. Despite this need, critical gaps remain in our knowledge of the mechanisms that contribute to healthy or accelerated aging among PWH and how best to translate emerging evidence into effective clinical care. The overall mission of this SWG is to seed and catalyze innovative research that promotes healthy aging, preserves function and quality of life, and improves long-term health outcomes for older PWH.

Toward this goal, the SWG brings together community members and more than 30 HIV and non-HIV researchers from multiple New York City academic institutions. Members contribute expertise in areas including immunology, gerontology, geriatrics, neurology, neuroimaging, cognitive neuroscience, epidemiology, cardiometabolic disease, pharmacology, behavioral science, and implementation science.

Specific Aims

• To bring together outstanding HIV and non-HIV investigators from multidisciplinary research areas and institutions across New York City to foster collaborations focused on HIV and aging, including biological aging, multimorbidity, neurocognitive health, frailty, polypharmacy, and implementation science.
• To generate new interdisciplinary collaborations among established investigators and early-stage investigators who conduct HIV research but have not previously worked together, as well as investigators in aging-related fields who are new to HIV research.
• To identify and pursue funding for innovative research projects developed through SWG collaborations, with the goal of improving our understanding of the biological, clinical, behavioral, and social factors that shape aging among PWH.
• To support research that translates scientific discoveries into effective, equitable, and person-centered approaches to care for older PWH, with an emphasis on maintaining physical and cognitive function, reducing the burden of comorbid conditions, and improving quality of life.

As the population of older adults with HIV continues to grow, addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with aging has become essential to the long-term success of the HIV response. This SWG seeks to fill important research gaps, strengthen collaboration across disciplines, and develop interventions that enable PWH not only to live longer, but also to age well.