USCHA Conference
- Sep 30
- 2 min read
The United States Conference on HIV/AIDS (USCHA) remains the flagship gathering for HIV advocates, clinicians, public health professionals, researchers, and community leaders across the U.S. This year, USCHA 2025 took place September 4th –7th in Washington, D.C. The organizing body, NMAC, has selected the theme “Aging with HIV”, giving particular focus to the lived experiences, needs, and policy challenges faced by people living with HIV as they grow older.
This year’s program is structured around ten thematic tracks that integrate the central theme of aging with HIV into diverse areas of inquiry and practice. Track topics include Advancing Research and Treatment for Older Adults, Behavioral Health and Aging, Comorbidities and Multiple Chronic Conditions, Women Aging with HIV, Science of Sexuality and Pleasure, and Political Determinants of Health, among others. The aim is to weave the aging lens throughout workshops, plenaries, institutes, and poster sessions, rather than siloing it as a standalone topic.
Among the highlighted speakers this year was basketball legend and business icon Earvin “Magic” Johnson, who headlined the event. In addition, political leaders like Representative Maxine Waters were featured during the conference’s opening reception. Attendees were also able to engage in a wide array of skill-building workshops, covering subjects such as stigma reduction, harm reduction, PrEP implementation, trauma-informed care, and policy advocacy, as well as plenary forums that interrogated how age-related comorbidities, systems-level barriers, and social determinants affect HIV-positive older adults.
Beyond the formal sessions, USCHA 2025 continued to emphasize community connection, mutual support, and collective reflection. With over 3,000 participants, ranging from grassroots organizers to federal policymakers, this year’s conference also included an exhibit hall with nearly 100 organizations showcasing resources, partnerships, and innovations. Attendees can also earn up to 22 continuing education units (CEUs) from institutions like the National Association for Social Workers and the National Board of Public Health Examiners. As the HIV field navigates evolving epidemiological, legislative, and funding environments, USCHA 2025 seeks to reaffirm solidarity, center lived expertise, and craft responsive strategies for all people living with HIV, especially as many confront the dual challenges of aging and chronic health burdens.
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