In a new NIDA-funded study, expansion of HIV treatment in British Columbia led to improved HIV/AIDS health outcomes and decreased HIV transmission. The Treatment as Prevention strategy, launched by the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, utilizes widespread HIV testing and fully-funded, immediate access to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) for patients with HIV/AIDS. The study, published February 12 in PLOS One, found that the Treatment as Prevention strategy resulted in an 80% decrease in AIDS incidence, an 80% decrease in HIV-related mortality, and a 66% decrease in new HIV diagnoses. Also, for every 1% increase in the number of individuals suppressed on HAART, the estimated HIV incidence also decreased by 1%.
The findings of this study show that HIV/AIDS health outcomes will improve and fewer people will become infected with HIV/AIDS when there are fewer financial blockages to care like HAART.
For a copy of the study, go to: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0087872