Toward Better HIV Care: A Thought Leader Interview

Abstract

The two largest providers of HIV care in the US are the Veterans Administration and Kaiser Permanente. Both organizations are significantly outperforming the general population in implementing the HIV Care Continuum, which involves 1) testing and diagnosis, 2) linkage to care, 3) retention in care, 4) initiation and continuation of antiretroviral therapy, and 5) achievement of viral suppression. Adherence to the care continuum allows people living with HIV to achieve viral suppression to levels where the virus is undetectable. Such individuals are less likely to transmit the virus than are other infected individuals not receiving medical care. In this interview article, leaders from the two comprehensive integrated health care systems share insight about how their organizations achieve top-quality HIV care outcomes, as well as their ongoing efforts to identify and close gaps in care.