Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Sustained Viral Suppression and Transmission Risk Potential Among Persons Receiving HIV Care — United States, 2014

Abstract

What is already known about this topic? African Americans/Blacks (blacks) accounted for a disproportionally high percentage of persons living with diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in 2014. Between 2009 and 2013, antiretroviral therapy prescriptions have increased more among blacks who received HIV clinical care compared with Hispanics and whites. However, fewer blacks received antiretroviral therapy prescriptions compared with other racial/ethnic groups, and more blacks did not have a suppressed viral load. What is added by this report? In 2014, fewer blacks living with diagnosed HIV infection had sustained viral suppression (all viral load test results in 2014 <200 HIV RNA copies/mL) compared with Hispanics and whites. Among those who were in care and did not achieve sustained viral suppression, blacks had viral loads >1,500 copies/mL for approximately half of the 12-month period in 2014; this circumstance can adversely affect their health outcomes and pose a risk for further transmission. Blacks aged 13- 24 years had the lowest prevalence of sustained viral suppression. What are the implication for public health practice? Collaboration among health care providers, community-based organizations, and state and local health departments to strengthen programs that address barriers to HIV care, antiretroviral therapy prescription, medication adherence, and sustained viral suppression among blacks, especially blacks aged 13-24 years, could be beneficial in eliminating racial/ethnic disparities.