It's been more than 30 years since the height of the HIV-AIDS epidemic began in the U.S.

The survivors of that epidemic are now middle-aged and are still learning how to cope.

In the meantime, more effective treatments have changed how the disease is perceived by the public.

Perry Halketus, a psychologist and public health expert, talks in this episode about how

psychological science is even more critical in understanding how to prevent HIV and also how

to help those who live with all kinds of chronic diseases.

I'm Audrey Hamilton, and this is speaking of psychology.

Perry Halquitos is a professor of psychology and global health at New York University.

For decades, his work has focused on the intersection of mental health and behavior with HIV prevention and treatment.

His latest book, The AIDS Generation, Stories of Survival and Resilience, focuses on 15 gay men who survived the height of the AIDS epidemic and are

continuing to live with the disease today. Dr. Halcidas, welcome. Thank you for having me.

Your book talks a lot about the resilience of a generation that saw the worst of the AIDS epidemic.

You know, as a psychologist and someone who's living with HIV, it seems very important for you

to talk about the mental

and emotional impact this disease has had on survivors who are now in middle age. Can you tell us

more about the people featured in your book and their coping mechanisms? Are these mechanisms

any different from those of people who suffer from other chronic health conditions?

So the 15 stories that are represented in the book are 15 very different stories.

I could have told 1,500 stories.

There was no shortage of them out there.

But I chose 15 men who came from different walks of life, from different parts of the country, different shape,

sizes, colors, just to make sure that I capture the diversity of the experience of living

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