Aging with Power By Cecilia Dennis
Posted: July 6, 2026
I love living in rural Virginia. It’s home. But aging with HIV here comes with real challenges that people don’t always see.
Accessing care isn’t simple. Doctors are far away. Transportation is limited. And for many of us, reliable internet for telehealth still isn’t a given. These barriers make staying in care harder than it should be, especially as we get older and manage multiple health conditions.
As a Black woman living with HIV, I also carry a reality that reflects a much bigger issue. Black women account for nearly half of new HIV diagnoses among women in the United States, despite being a much smaller share of the population. This isn’t about individual choices; it’s about access, equity, and systems that don’t always work for us.
Still, I show up, not just for myself, but for others in my community navigating the same reality.
At AIDSWatch 2026, I had the opportunity to share my story directly with lawmakers. I wanted them to understand that living with HIV in rural communities isn’t just about medicine, but it’s about access, support, and the ability to remain in the place you call home.
Through my work with the National HIV & Aging Advocacy Network (NHAAN) and the Women of Color Rise Up working group, I’m part of a broader movement pushing for policies that support people aging with HIV in rural communities. Programs like the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program make that possible. They help people stay in care, access medication, and live healthy lives.
People living with HIV deserve to age with dignity, no matter their ZIP code.
Be undetectable. If you’re living with HIV, getting and keeping an undetectable viral load is one of the best things you can do to stay healthy and prevent transmitting HIV to sexual partners.
CDC’s Let’s Stop HIV Together campaign works to reduce stigma and promote HIV testing, prevention, and treatment in communities across the country. Visit locator.hiv.gov to find an HIV care provider near you.
Cecilia Dennis