In 2001, only 17 percent of  Americans  living with HIV were 50 years of age or older.  By 2009 that number had nearly doubled, to 33 percent.  And today, over half of all Americans living with HIV are 50 years of age or older, according to the Centers for Disease Control. 

In early 2015, a group of local physicians, researchers, activists, and HIV+ individuals began meeting to create an organization to study long-term HIV-positive individuals and determine how to help them live longer, healthier lives.  The organization that emerged was called the Coachella Valley Community Research Initiative (CVCRI).  We incorporated in the state of California and received non-profit 501(c)3 recognition from the IRS.

In mid-2017, we adopted a new name that more clearly describes what we are about:  HIV & Aging Research Project – Palm Springs (HARP-PS).  HARP-PS is a community-based, community-supported coalition of healthcare providers, people living with HIV, their advocates, their families and friends. Our overarching objective is to enable long-term survivors  to thrive as they live longer with HIV.