Americans with HIV are living longer, and federal spending isnt keeping up [Video]

By Sam Whitehead, KFF Health News (TNS)

DECATUR, Ga. — Malcolm Reid recently marked the anniversary of his HIV diagnosis on Facebook. “Diagnosed with HIV 28 years ago, AND TODAY I THRIVE,” he wrote in a post in April, which garnered dozens of responses.

Reid, an advocate for people with HIV, said he’s happy he made it to age 66. But growing older has come with a host of health issues. He survived kidney cancer and currently juggles medications to treat HIV, high blood pressure, and Type 2 diabetes. “It’s a lot to manage,” he said.

But Reid’s not complaining. When he was diagnosed, HIV was sometimes a death sentence. “I’m just happy to be here,” Reid said. “You weren’t supposed to be here, and you’re here.”

More than half of the people living with HIV in the United States are, like Reid, older than 50. Researchers estimate that 70% of people living with the virus will …