HIV Viral Suppression, 37 States and the District of Columbia, 2014

Achieving viral suppression among HIV-positive persons is a critical component of HIV treatment and prevention, because it leads to improved health outcomes for the individual and reduced risk of HIV transmission. There is wide variation in viral suppression across jurisdictions, races/ethnicities, age groups, and transmission risk groups. This analysis uses HIV surveillance data to examine rates of viral suppression among people living with diagnosed HIV (PLWDH) in 38 jurisdictions with complete lab reporting. Among people who received a diagnosis in 2014, the percentage with viral suppression within 12 months of diagnosis and the average time to viral suppression was assessed. Overall, among PLWDH in 2014, 57.9% were virally suppressed, and, among people with HIV diagnosed in 2014, 68.2% were suppressed within 12 months of diagnosis with an average time to suppression of 6.9 months. All outcomes varied by jurisdiction, but most had similar patterns of disparities with a few exceptions. These data highlight the need for tailored interventions at the local level. In addition, jurisdictions with relatively low viral suppression among particular groups could adapt effective interventions from jurisdictions who have higher rates of suppression.