2015-16 Pilot Project, “HIV management and successful aging in men from communities of color.” Dr. Nguyen’s second pilot project, conducted in partnership with Special Services for Groups/Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team (APAIT) in Los Angeles, will use one-on-one, in-depth interviews with HIV+ older adults (ages 50 and older). The aims of this project are: 1) to elicit subjective definitions of successful aging from HIV+ men and; 2) to determine ways in which HIV+ men of color prioritize self-management behaviors to meet goals for successful aging. One-on-one, in-depth interviews will be conducted with 30 English-speaking men who are HIV+ and ages 50 years and over. The race/ethnic composition is expected to reflect the demographics of the recruitment site: Asian/Pacific-Islander (44.5%), African American (29.5%), Latino (16%), White (9%), other (1%).

Ultimately the project seeks to understand the self-management behaviors of diverse HIV+ older adults within the context of an individual’s interpretation of successful aging. The proportion of HIV+ individuals who are older adults is growing and many will now have to negotiate the processes of disease along with the processes of aging. Findings will inform further research and programs to improve the health of HIV+ elders.