National HIV & Aging Advocacy Network (NHAAN)
Launched in 2019 from NMAC’s Treatment Division’s 50+ Strong and Healthy Program, the National HIV & Aging Advocacy Network (NHAAN) is a grassroots, community-led network of individuals who have a vested interest in the collective and cumulative interests of people aging with HIV.
Our community’s long and proud history of caring for one another began with the Denver Principles and was further advanced by the GIPA/MIPA principles, emphasizing the Greater and Meaningful Involvement of People with HIV/AIDS. We formed this Network to honor the legacy of those who lit the way, accept the torch they have carried this far, and commit ourselves to light the way forward by advocating for their welfare and that of all who are aging with HIV.
The Network envisions a world where individuals with HIV age gracefully, encompassing physical, social, financial, spiritual, and emotional well-being across all facets of their lives. The Network is a non-incorporated undertaking.
Purpose of the Network
NHAAN Exists to:
- Support policies, programs, and services that improve the physical, emotional, and financial well-being of older adults living with HIV.
- Advocate for long-term survivors and people experiencing trauma, comorbidities, and mental health challenges.
- Educate on aging with HIV, self-care strategies, peer support, and available resources.
- Collaborate with HIV, aging, and social justice organizations to advance equity for older adults, in alignment with the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan, the Older Americans Act, and the Ryan White Care Act.
What NHAAN DoesNHAAN Exists to:
- Host leadership & advocacy trainings
- Host quarterly All-Member Meetings featuring guest speakers, policy updates, and community discussions.
- Governance Committees (GCs): Members can join committees that focus on advocacy, recruitment, and projects. Current GCs include:
- Policy & Advocacy
- Membership and Engagement
- Communications & Community Collaborations
- Training of Trainers
- Special Interest Groups (SIGs): Members can join topic-focused SIGs to connect, collaborate, and lead. Current SIGs include:
- Women of Color Rise Up
- Heterosexual Men Living with HIV
- LGBTQIA+ Persons with HIV
- NHAAN Support Group
- Community outreach & storytelling to elevate member voices through newsletters, webinars, campaigns, and national events.
Who Can Join
Membership is open to:
- People living with HIV who are 50 and older
- Long-term survivors diagnosed before effective HIV treatment (HAART/cART)
- “Lifetime Survivors” or “Dandelions”
- Anyone who has lived with HIV for 10 years or more
Why NHAAN Matters
The community of people living with HIV has accomplished major wins by connecting, exchanging information, and ideas. NHAAN members gain a space to mobilize around issues that impact them.
That in itself makes the Network of over 260 members valuable. We then fortify that value by offering training, educational opportunities, and resources that members won’t find anywhere else.
Providing this level of support ultimately strengthens our main goal: healthier outcomes for people living with HIV.
What NHAAN Offers
Members gain access to:
Monthly network convenings
Peer-led education and leadership development
Advocacy opportunities and policy updates
Resource guides and digital learning modules
NMAC 50+ programs and national initiatives
Opportunities to join workgroups and shape network priorities
Member Testimonials
Our Commitment
NHAAN is committed to strengthening advocacy, building community, and ensuring that every person living with HIV is seen, valued, and supported. Together, we are shaping a future rooted in dignity, justice, and healthy aging.