The impact of COVID-19 on the HIV continuum of care: challenges, innovations, and opportunities

Authors

Jenny Yeon Kim, Department of Global Health, The George Washington University Milken School of Public Health, 950 New Hampshire Ave NW, 4th Floor, Washington, DC, 20052, USA.
Shannon K. Barth, Department of Epidemiology, The George Washington University Milken School of Public Health, 950 New Hampshire Ave NW, 5th Floor, Washington DC, 20052, USA.
Anne K. Monroe, Department of Epidemiology, The George Washington University Milken School of Public Health, 950 New Hampshire Ave NW, 5th Floor, Washington DC, 20052, USA.
Sarah Ahsan, Department of Epidemiology, The George Washington University Milken School of Public Health, 950 New Hampshire Ave NW, 5th Floor, Washington DC, 20052, USA.
Janja Kovacic, Department of Epidemiology, The George Washington University Milken School of Public Health, 950 New Hampshire Ave NW, 5th Floor, Washington DC, 20052, USA.
Siena Senn, Department of Epidemiology, The George Washington University Milken School of Public Health, 950 New Hampshire Ave NW, 5th Floor, Washington DC, 20052, USA.
Amanda D. Castel, Department of Epidemiology, The George Washington University Milken School of Public Health, 950 New Hampshire Ave NW, 5th Floor, Washington DC, 20052, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-1-2023

Journal

Expert review of anti-infective therapy

Volume

21

Issue

8

DOI

10.1080/14787210.2023.2239503

Keywords

COVID-19; HIV; HIV testing; care continuum; challenges; disparities; disruption; innovation; pandemic; prevention

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: In February 2019, the United States (US) launched the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative with emphasis on improving the various steps of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention and care continuum. However, in March 2020, the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was declared, curtailing efforts to end the epidemic in the US. AREAS COVERED: To describe the impact of the pandemic on EHE in the US, the authors performed a comprehensive literature review focusing on outcomes at each step of the HIV care continuum. Simultaneously, they identified examples of pandemic-era innovations that may help EHE. EXPERT OPINION: Numerous studies demonstrated pandemic-related disruptions across the care continuum as well as the impact on preexisting barriers to care among People with HIV (PWH) at higher risk for poor outcomes. As the pandemic progressed, innovative approaches to delivering healthcare and providing essential services emerged, including widespread use of telemedicine, expansion of home-based care, self-collected sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV testing, and co-located testing for COVID-19 and HIV/STIs. While the COVID-19 pandemic initially hindered achieving EHE in the US, the ability to be agile, flexible, and creative led to innovation in HIV care delivery that may ultimately assist in meeting EHE goals as we transition into the post-pandemic era.

APA Citation

Kim, Jenny Yeon; Barth, Shannon K.; Monroe, Anne K.; Ahsan, Sarah; Kovacic, Janja; Senn, Siena; and Castel, Amanda D., "The impact of COVID-19 on the HIV continuum of care: challenges, innovations, and opportunities" (2023). GW Authored Works. Paper 3135.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/3135

Department

Epidemiology