Community-Embedded Low-Barrier Care: A Model for Engaging People With Complex Needs in HIV Treatment and Prevention

People living homeless and people with substance use disorders are at increased risk for HIV but experience multiple intersecting barriers to accessing medical care. Low-barrier care has emerged as a strategy to engage persons with complex needs in care, particularly in the fields of HIV and substance use treatment. We describe our experience implementing low-barrier whole person care for HIV treatment and prevention at 3 community-embedded sites in King County, Washington, and outline key operational and clinic characteristics that helped facilitate success.