CDC study underscores need for improvement in HIV care

In advance of National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, observed yesterday, Saturday, September 27, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a new analysis showing that only half (49.5%) of gay and bisexual men diagnosed with HIV in the United States are receiving treatment for their infection. And just 42 percent have achieved viral suppression – meaning their virus is under control at a level that helps keep them healthy and also greatly reduces their risk of transmitting HIV to others.

The findings – based on 2010 data and published today in CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report – underscore the need for improvements at each stage of HIV care, from diagnosis to retention in care and support for treatment adherence.

Key Findings:

Among gay and bisexual men who had been diagnosed with HIV:

• 77.5 percent were linked to care
• 50.9 percent stayed in care
• 49.5 percent were prescribed antiretroviral therapy
• 42.0 percent achieved viral suppression (i.e., the virus is under control at a level that helps keep people healthy and reduces the risk of transmitting the virus to others)

There are stark disparities in care for young gay men and black gay men:

• Just one-quarter (25.9 percent) of gay and bisexual men aged 18-24 diagnosed with HIV had achieved viral suppression
• Among black MSM diagnosed with HIV, just 37.0 percent/ achieved viral suppression (vs. 43.9 and 41.5 percent of white and Hispanic MSM, respectively

Fully capitalizing on the benefits of antiretroviral therapy – both for individual health and for prevention – is critical for effectively addressing the U.S. epidemic.

The Gayly – September 28, 2014 @ 10:55am