Ending the HIV Epidemic: Why HIV Treatment Is Prevention

Key numbers

• 1/2: about half of people with HIV know it, are in care and are virally suppressed, or undetectable.
• 8 in 10: new HIV infections that come from people not in HIV care.
• 90%: the new U.S. goal — cut new infections by at least 90% in 10 years.

Treatment is prevention

The HIV epidemic in the United States can be ended, and quick, effective treatment is the key. Taken as prescribed, HIV medicine can bring the virus in the body very low — viral suppression, or undetectable: fewer than 200 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood. People who stay undetectable can stay healthy and have effectively no risk of passing HIV on through sex.

To cut new infections:

• Diagnose early. Everyone aged 13-64 should be tested at least once, and people at high risk at least yearly. Sexually active gay and bisexual men may benefit from testing more often, such as every 3-6 months.
• Treat quickly. People with HIV should start treatment as soon as possible. Staying in treatment for life helps them live longer, avoid complications and prevent transmission through sex.
• Protect people at risk with condoms and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Where new infections come from

HIV transmissions in 2016, by where people with HIV stood in their care. Values don't add up exactly because of rounding. CDC, Vital Signs, 2019.

• There are nearly 40,000 new HIV infections a year.
• They come from people who aren't virally suppressed.
• Nearly 40% of people with HIV don't know they have it, or know but aren't in care.

A plan for America

The four pillars of the plan. CDC, Vital Signs, 2019.

1. Diagnose HIV as early as possible.
2. Treat it quickly and effectively.
3. Protect people at risk.
4. Respond quickly to clusters of new cases.

Who can do what

• Health care providers: test patients; link people with HIV to care quickly and help them stay; talk about condoms and PrEP with patients who could benefit.
• People with HIV: start care now, stay in it and take medicine as prescribed; tell your provider about any trouble taking it; learn more about living well with HIV.
• Health departments: test for HIV and link people to care quickly; find people who have fallen out of care and help them back.
• Everyone: learn how to prevent HIV and know your status (gettested.cdc.gov); support family and friends who have HIV.

Helping patients stay in care

Providers can make it easier to stay in care and keep taking HIV medicine:

• Ask about the challenges of taking medicine, and explain why taking it as prescribed matters.
• Address mental health problems and drug or alcohol misuse, which can make staying in care harder.
• Support the whole person: help with transportation, housing, health insurance and other needs.

More: Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America · HIV Transmission Along the Continuum of Care — United States, 2016 (MMWR) · HIV testing sites and care locator · CDC-INFO, 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636).

Sources

Based on "Ending the HIV Epidemic," Vital Signs, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, March 18, 2019; a work of the United States government in the public domain.