Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Correspondence to Robert H. E-mail: rhr1 columbia. The work cannot be changed in any way or used commercially without permission from the journal. Tremendous biomedical advancements in HIV prevention and treatment have led to aspirational efforts to end the HIV epidemic.
However, this goal will not be achieved without addressing the significant mental health and substance use problems among people living with HIV PLWH and people vulnerable to acquiring HIV. These problems exacerbate the many social and economic barriers to accessing adequate and sustained healthcare, and are among the most challenging barriers to achieving the end of the HIV epidemic.
Rates of mental health problems are higher among both people vulnerable to acquiring HIV and PLWH, compared with the general population. We have the necessary screening tools and efficacious treatments to treat mental health problems among people living with and at risk for HIV.
However, we need to prioritize mental health treatment with appropriate resources to address the current mental health screening and treatment gaps. Integration of mental health screening and care into all HIV testing and treatment settings would not only strengthen HIV prevention and care outcomes, but it would additionally improve global access to mental healthcare. Keywords: ending the HIV epidemic, HIV prevention, HIV treatment cascade, integrated care, mental health, mental health screening, mental health treatment, substance use.
Today, most people newly diagnosed with HIV can expect a near normal lifespan with steady access and adherence to combination antiretroviral therapy cART. Preexposure prophylaxis PrEP is highly effective at protecting individuals from acquiring HIV when taken consistently [ 1 ]. Further, people living with HIV PLWH who maintain durable viral suppression do not transmit the virus to sexual partners, and in the case of pregnant women, to infants via pregnancy and delivery [ 2 β 4 ].
