The adolescent and young adult HIV cascade of care in the United States: exaggerated health disparities

AIDS Patient Care STDS. 2014 Mar;28(3):128-35. doi: 10.1089/apc.2013.0345.

Abstract

Little is known about how adolescents and young adults contribute to the declines in the cascade of care from HIV-1 diagnosis to viral suppression. We reviewed published literature from the Unites States reporting primary data for youth (13-29 years of age) at each stage of the HIV cascade of care. Approximately 41% of HIV-infected youth in the United States are aware of their diagnosis, while only 62% of those diagnosed engage medical care within 12 months of diagnosis. Of the youth who initiate antiretroviral therapy, only 54% achieve viral suppression and a further 57% are not retained in care. We estimate less than 6% of HIV-infected youth in the United States remain virally suppressed. We explore the cascade of care from HIV diagnosis through viral suppression for HIV-infected adolescents and young adults in the United States to highlight areas for improvement in the poor engagement of the infected youth population.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use*
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / virology*
  • HIV-1 / drug effects
  • Health Services / statistics & numerical data
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Health Status Disparities*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care
  • Prevalence
  • Serologic Tests
  • Treatment Outcome
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Viral Load*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents