More Americans Living Longer With HIV

By 2015, half of Americans with HIV will be over 50. Activist Ron Swanda has been HIV positive for nearly a quarter century, and must deal with mounting health issues while fighting to end the epidemic.

Published

6 months ago

Categories

Health

People

Ron Swanda

Places

United States of America

Transcript

SCRIPT: At age 66, Ron Swanda is a survivor. In 1989, the Nebraska native tested positive for HIV. SOUNDBITE 1 Ron Swanda (man) Retiree, AIDS activist (English, 16 sec): "I had had unsafe sex before I even knew what HIV was. So when I tested positive I said to myself 'I'm probably going to be positive,' and when he said the results and said, 'Well, you are.' And I can't tell you how shocking that was to me even though I expected it." Back then, the diagnosis felt like a death sentence. But 23 years later, Ron is still fighting the virus -- and he's not alone: by 2015, half of Americans with HIV will be over 50. AIDS policy expert Ronald Johnson was also diagnosed with HIV in 1989. He says HIV testing -- critical to preventing the spread of infection -- is overlooked in the over-50 community. SOUNDBITE 2 Ronald Johnson (man) Vice president of Policy and Advocacy, AIDS United (English, 15 sec): "The myth that once you're 50 you're no longer sexually active is a myth!"//"Young people need to be tested but people over 50, over 60 also need to be tested." Conditions typical of old-age can appear earlier in people with HIV. Ron's sight is failing, and his medication is weakening his bones. SOUNDBITE 3 Ron Swanda (man) Retiree, AIDS activist (English, 12 sec): "After my cateract surgery I fell because my sight was affected, and I made a small fracture in my hip." Despite the challenges, Ron is tirelessly active in the AIDS community, pushed by the memory of friends he's lost. -------------- SHOTLIST: WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 27, 2012 SOURCE: AFPTV - tracking shot Ron Swanda walking on the sidewalk - pan, Swanda enters restaurant SHOT LONGER FOR COVER SOUNDBITE 1 Ron Swanda (man) Retiree, AIDS activist - WS waiter pours sparking water for Swanda - MS Swanda drinking - CU Swanda drinking SAN FRANCISCO, JULY 15, 2012 SOURCE: AFPTV - WS San Francisco AIDS walk - MS San Francisco AIDS walk participants WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 28, 2012 SOURCE: AFPTV - pan, Ronald Johnson walks past AIDS United sign - MS Johnson at his desk - CU Johnson's head NEW YORK, NOVEMBRER 28, 2010 SOURCE: AFPTV - CU AIDS pamphlets on table COVER SHOT FOR SOUNDBITE 2 - MS woman hands out pamphlets COVER SHOT FOR SOUNDBITE 2 WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 28, 2012 SOURCE: AFPTV SOUNDBITE 2 Ronald Johnson (man) Vice president of Policy and Advocacy, AIDS United NEW YORK, NOVEMBRER 28, 2010 SOURCE: AFPTV - CU medication on table - tilt up to man taking medication WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 27, 2012 SOURCE: AFPTV - MS Swanda from the side - MS Swanda from the front SOUNDBITE 3 Ron Swanda (man) Retiree, AIDS activist - pan following Ron Swanda as he leaves restaurant