Consider the Following: Do I have access to all the resources I need to connect my clients to treatment?
The Treat pillar of Ending the HIV Epidemic aims to increase linkages of new diagnoses to care by 95% and increase viral suppression to 95%.
Antiretroviral therapy (known as ARV or ART) is the treatment for individuals living with HIV. HIV is treatable, but not curable. ART is typically taken as a once-daily pill, but new injection ART may be recommended to individuals who are already virally suppressed.
Of those diagnosed with HIV, 1 in 4 are not receiving care. Without treatment, and individual cannot become virally suppressed. Viral suppression occurs when the amount of virus in a person’s blood can no longer be detected. At this point, they can no longer transmit HIV. Viral suppression is the “gold standard” of HIV care– the goal of HIV treatment is to maintain viral suppression.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infections Disease outlines the Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U), or Treatment as Prevention, initiative. The U=U concept suggests that people living with HIV engaging in treatment and maintaining viral suppression, we are preventing other individuals from contracting HIV. In this way, treatment is prevention.
Linkage to Care
Figure 1 shows that across racial and ethnic categories linkage to care is relatively stable, with Black and African Americans being linked slightly less than other people.
As seen in Figure 2, people who contracted HIV through injection drug use are linked to care less often than those who contracted it through sexual contact.
Figure 3 demonstrates that women are linked to care a bit less than men and transgender persons.
Overall, the statistics relating to linkage to treatment demonstrate that more emphasis needs to be placed on linking Black or African American people, women, and those who inject drugs.
Viral Suppression
To accomplish the EHE goals of 95% linkage to care and 95% viral suppression, four strategies have been outlined:
This includes utilizing text reminders, telehealth appointments, or medication delivery to reach individuals who do not have transportation or access to a clinic.
Being aware of all testing centers and treatment providers in your area can bolster your effectiveness at helping a client begin and maintain treatment.
Engaging individuals in treatment that will ultimately lead to viral suppression not only has benefits for the person living with HIV, but for people who could contract HIV as well. Remembering that different groups may be stigmatized differently is important in developing client-centered care approaches.
Helping clients to understand the importance of medication adherence is essential to retaining them in treatment. Keeping up-to-date on new research and retention strategies can increase the amount of people retained in care.
Check your knowledge:
✓ What is viral suppression?
✓ What is the importance of medication adherence?
✓ What are the CDC’s strategies for increasing treatment availability and adherence?
- Linkage to Care
- Viral Suppression