Development of a City-wide Rapid Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation Toolkit for People Newly Diagnosed With HIV in the Southern United States.

Background: Rapid antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation, in which individuals with HIV start treatment within days of diagnosis, is a key component of the United States (US) Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative. The Memphis Metropolitan Statistical Area ranks second in the US for HIV incidence, yet only ∼60% of individuals link to treatment within 1 month of diagnosis. This study aimed to identify barriers and strategies for implementing rapid ART initiation in Memphis.

The impact of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act on HIV care continuum outcomes across the United States.

HIV care continuum outcome disparities by health insurance status have been noted among people with HIV (PWH). We therefore examined associations between state Medicaid expansion and HIV outcomes in the United States. Adults (≥18 years) with ≥1 visit in NA-ACCORD clinical cohorts from 2012-2017 contributed person-time annually between first and final visit or death; in each calendar year, clinical retention was ≥2 completed visits > 90 days apart, antiretroviral therapy (ART) receipt was receipt of ≥3 antiretroviral agents, and viral suppression was last measured HIV-1 RNA < 200 copies/mL.

Continuous care engagement in clinical practice: perspectives on selected current strategies for people with HIV in the United States.

Introduction: Modern antiretroviral therapy is associated with reduced rates of HIV-related morbidity and mortality. HIV viral suppression and retention in care are critically important outcomes requiring successful continuous patient engagement. However, barriers to such engagement are complex and require innovative solutions.