A Division of Cornerstone Family Healthcare
National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NGMHAAD) is September 27.
In 2008 the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA) launched this observance day to recognize the disproportionate impact of the epidemic on gay men.
Learn more and find resources you can use to get involved in marking NGMHAAD on and around September 27.
At the start of the epidemic, people who were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS could expect to live only 1-2 years after that diagnosis. This meant that the issues of aging were not a major focus for people with HIV disease.
But new medications and treatments have changed that. Life expectancy for people with HIV disease has increased dramatically—which means that they now have to face the challenges of aging with HIV/AIDS.
Normal aging is associated with risks for many different conditions, from osteoporosis to heart disease, but having HIV can increase those risks. Some illnesses or conditions which can be worsened by aging and HIV (or treatments for it) include:
For more resources on HIV and aging, see The Body’s Aging and HIV/AIDS 
.
Living with HIV presents certain challenges, no matter what your age. But older Americans with HIV may face different issues than their younger counterparts, including greater social isolation and the lack of a strong, local support system. Older individuals may also face different stigmas when disclosing their status to partners, family, or friends.
If you are aging with HIV/AIDS, having a support system will help you stay physically and mentally healthier. You can find support systems through your healthcare provider, your local community center or AIDS service organization, or friends and family.
Learn more about National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day
or read more about HIV risk among older adults.
This two-day training is designed to help health and human services providers promote sexual health among their clients by building their capacity to talk sensitively and non-judgmentally about sexual identity, gender identity and sexual behaviors. Topics to be covered during the training include: sexual and gender identity; strategies for talking with clients about sexual health issues; HIV/STD prevention and harm reduction strategies for sexual behaviors.
As a result of this training, participants will be able to:
• Increase their awareness about the range of sexual and gender identities of their clients;
• Describe how homophobia and other forms of stigma and discrimination can impact a client’s sexual behaviors and ability to practice sexual risk reduction;
• Increase their comfort in discussing sexual and gender identity with clients;
• Describe how sexual trauma can impact a client’s sexual behaviors and risk for HIV/STDs; and
• Offer clients harm reduction options for sexual behaviors.
Prerequisite: Although there is no prerequisite for this course, it is strongly recommended that participants have previous knowledge or training on basic HIV/AIDS information.
Audience: All health and human service providers.
This one-day training will provide participants with an opportunity to practice key skills related to offering HIV testing services.
As a result of this training, participants will be able to:
• Recall how to provide streamlined pre-test information;
• Describe how to deliver preliminary positive and confirmed positive HIV test results;
• Describe how to link newly diagnosed HIV positive patients to health care and support services;
• Provide information to HIV positive patients to promote notification of sexual and needle sharing partners; and
• Conduct the NYS domestic violence screening protocol.
Prerequisite: Knowledge of basic HIV/AIDS information and attendance at the AIDS Institute training, “HIV Testing in NYS: 2010 Update” within the past 12 months
Audience: All health or human services providers who offer HIV testing as part of their job responsibilities.
This half-day training will provide information about new developments in HIV testing as a result of passage of Chapter 308 of the Laws of 2010.
As a result of this training, participants will be able to:
• List the core elements of the 2010 New York State HIV Testing law (S.8227/A.11487) and their importance;
• Recall that HIV testing must be offered to all persons between the ages of 13 and 64 receiving hospital or primary care services with some limited exceptions;
• Describe the simplified process for obtaining patient consent for HIV testing;
• List the elements of HIV pre and post-test counseling with an emphasis on streamlining the process;
• Recall the responsibility of the health care provider to arrange for follow-up medical care for all patients who test HIV positive;
• Describe changes in HIV testing related to occupational exposure; and
• Explain revised disclosure practices.
Prerequisite: Although there is no prerequisite for this training, it is strongly recommended that participants have previous training in basic HIV/AIDS.
Audience: All health or human service providers who offer HIV testing as a part of their job responsibilities and other providers who require clarification on the 2010 HIV testing law
Additional Training: Participants who would like an opportunity to practice the skills associated with offering HIV testing services may choose to attend the AIDS Institute training, “HIV Testing: Skills Practice Session.”
This one day training will provide an overview of the NY State epidemiological trends of HIV in older adults, an overview of sexual activity, social isolation, mental health and substance use issues and the impact of co-morbid conditions among those aging with HIV. This information will then be related to the HIV prevention, treatment and care needs of older adults living with and at risk for HIV.
As a result of this one day training, participants will be able to:
•Recall NY State epidemiology in adults over 50;
•State the most prevalent co-occurring illness and co-morbid conditions among older adults living with HIV;
•Describe ways to address Sex and Prevention Burnout Among Older Adults with HIV;
•Identify strategies that providers can use to address treatment and care issues for adults 50 and over living with HIV;
•Identify social isolation, mental health and substance use issues, that affect older adults living with HIV; and
•Offer strategies that address mental health, substance use, sexual risk, social isolation within this population.
Prerequisite: Although there is no prerequisite for this course, it is strongly recommended that participants have previous knowledge or training on basic HIV/AIDS information.
Audience: All health and human service providers.
This one-day training is designed to assist health and human services providers in promoting retention in care and treatment adherence with active substance users. Providers that are aware of effective strategies for working with active substance users can play a vital role in assisting clients with retention and treatment adherence. Topics to be covered during the training include: defining active substance use, including levels of use; strategies for talking with clients about the importance of maintaining healthcare; harm reduction strategies and tools for working with active substance users.
As a result of this training, participants will be able to:
•Increase their knowledge of issues related to active substance use and HIV/HCV retention in care and treatment adherence;
•Recall the definition of active substance use and recognize various forms of substance use and stages of use;
•Recognize strengths of substance users and identify ways to use those strengths to achieve retention in care and treatment adherence
•Recognize strategies employed by providers to work with active substance users;
•Describe strategies for supporting retention in care and treatment adherence during periods of chaotic use, relapse and transitions in and out of drug treatment.
Prerequisite: Although there is no prerequisite for this training, it is strongly recommended that participants have previous training in HIV/AIDS.
Audience: All health and human service providers.
This one-day training will introduce non-physician providers to co-occurring disorders (substance abuse and mental illness) and their impact on people living with HIV/AIDS. The training will also review trauma and its impacts on care as well as “red flags” or warning signs that might indicate a problem with substance abuse and/or mental health. Participants will also be offered tools for making referrals for appropriate treatment for clients who may be experiencing co-occurring disorders.
As a result of this training, participants will be able to: •Define the term “co-occurring disorders” as it applies to substance abuse and mental illness;
•Define the term “trauma” and how it impacts substance abuse, mental illness, and HIV/AIDS;
•List qualities important for a provider in working with people with co-occurring disorders;
•Define the term “red flag” and give examples from case studies; and
•Identify communication skills that help a provider make a referral for co-occurring disorders.
Prerequisite: Although there is no prerequisite for this course, it is strongly recommended that participants have basic knowledge of HIV/AIDS.
Audience: All health and human services providers.
This one day introductory training will prepare non-physician health and human services providers to address HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and viral hepatitis in an integrated, client-centered manner. The training will review the similarities and differences in transmission, screening, available treatments and needed support services for each of the diseases. The training will emphasize the connection between these diseases and the skills needed to effectively interact with clients whose sexual or substance using behaviors place them at risk for HIV, STIs and viral hepatitis.
As a result of this training, participants will be able to:
• Recall data showing the overlap of cases of HIV, STIs and viral hepatitis;
• State the rationale and importance of integration of services related to HIV, STIs and viral hepatitis;
• State the similarities and differences in how HIV, STIs and viral hepatitis are transmitted;
• Deliver an integrated prevention message for HIV, STIs and viral hepatitis;
• Provide clients with basic information about the spectrum of illness, testing and treatment for HIV, STIs and viral hepatitis; and
• Link clients to needed HIV, STI, and viral hepatitis testing, treatment and support services.
Prerequisite: There is no prerequisite for this training. It is intended for individuals who have not had prior training in HIV, STIs or viral hepatitis.
Audience: This introductory training is for non-physician health and human services providers who will be responsible for delivering prevention, care or support services related to HIV, STIs and viral hepatitis.
This one day training will provide participants with updated information and strategies for promoting prevention among people living with HIV/AIDS. The latest research demonstrates that early initiation of treatment, retention in care and viral load suppression are critical to the health of people with HIV and also play a key role in reducing new infections. Participants will learn strategies for coupling messages about the importance of clinical care with behavioral interventions to address the risks associated with sexual and substance using behaviors.
Prerequisite: It is strongly recommended that participants have previous knowledge or training on basic HIV/AIDS information.
Audience: All non-physician health and human services providers who work directly with people living with HIV including: case managers, counselors, nurses, support services providers and others.