Effect of Social Determinants of Health on Uncontrolled Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection Among Persons With HIV in San Francisco, California.

Background: In 2010-2014, the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) established programs to rapidly link people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) to care and offer antiretroviral therapy (ART) at human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnosis. Such programs reduced the number of PWH out of care or with detectable HIV viral load (ie, uncontrolled HIV infection). We investigated the role of social determinants of health (SDH) on uncontrolled HIV. Methods: Cross-sectional data from adult PWH diagnosed and reported to the SFDPH as of December 31, 2019, prescribed ART, and with confirmed San Francisco residency during 2017-2019 were analyzed in conjunction with SDH metrics derived from the American Community Survey 2015-2019. We focused on 5 census tract-level SDH metrics: percentage of residents below the federal poverty level, with less than a high school diploma, or uninsured; median household income; and Gini index. We compared uncontrolled HIV prevalence odds ratios (PORs) across quartiles of each metric independently using logistic regression models. Results: The analysis included 7486 PWH (6889 controlled HIV; 597 uncontrolled HIV). Unadjusted PORs of uncontrolled HIV rose with increasingly marginalized quartiles, compared to the least marginalized quartile for each metric. Adjusting for demographics and transmission category, the POR for uncontrolled HIV for PWH in the most marginalized quartile remained significant across metrics for poverty (POR = 2.0; confidence interval [CI] = 1.5-2.6), education (POR = 2.4; CI = 1.8-3.2), insurance (POR = 1.8; CI = 1.3-2.5), income (POR = 1.8; CI = 1.4-2.3), and income inequality (POR = 1.5; CI = 1.1-2.0). Conclusions: Beyond demographics, SDH differentially affected the ability of PWH to control HIV. Despite established care programs, PWH experiencing socioeconomic marginalization require additional support to achieve health outcome goals.

Development of a Citywide Rapid Antiretroviral Therapy Initiative in San Francisco.

INTRODUCTION: Ending the HIV epidemic in the U.S. holds rapid antiretroviral therapy as a key strategy to improve the health of those with HIV and to decrease transmission. In 2015, Getting to Zero San Francisco, a multisector consortium, expanded rapid antiretroviral therapy citywide. METHODS: A Getting to Zero San Francisco Rapid ART Program Initiative for HIV Diagnoses Committee (academic, community, service delivery, health department partners) designed the program, protocol, dissemination plan, and monitoring strategy. Newly diagnosed patients were linked to an HIV medical home or Rapid ART Program Initiative for HIV Diagnoses initiation hub to best deliver rapid antiretroviral therapy across a diverse patient mix, with a goal of ≤5 working days from diagnosis to care and ≤1 day from care to antiretroviral therapy. Stakeholders were trained on rapid antiretroviral therapy via Getting to Zero San Francisco meetings, in-services, public health detailing, and peer-to-peer recruiting, prioritizing HIV clinics serving patients of color, Latinx ethnicity, youth, and the uninsured or publicly insured. Rapid ART Program Initiative for HIV Diagnoses-specific metrics were derived from surveillance data; stratified by sex/gender, age, race/ethnicity, and housing status; and presented at public meetings. Data were analyzed between January and April 2021. RESULTS: From 2014 to 2018, median time from diagnosis to care decreased 71% (7 to 2 days), care to antiretroviral therapy decreased from 19 to 0 days, and diagnosis to virologic suppression decreased 51% (94 to 46 days). Improvements occurred regardless of age, race/ethnicity, sex/gender, exposure, or housing status. CONCLUSIONS: During a citywide initiative to optimize antiretroviral therapy initiation, time from HIV diagnosis to care, antiretroviral therapy, and virologic suppression decreased across all affected groups to varying degrees. The Rapid ART Program Initiative for HIV Diagnoses Committee continues to address challenges to retention and expand implementation.

A longitudinal study assessing differences in causes of death among housed and homeless people diagnosed with HIV in San Francisco.

BACKGROUND: San Francisco has implemented several programs addressing the needs of two large vulnerable populations: people living with HIV and those who are homeless. Assessment of these programs on health outcomes is paramount for reducing preventable deaths. METHODS: Individuals diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and reported to the San Francisco Department of Public Health HIV surveillance registry, ages 13 years or older, who resided in San Francisco at the time of diagnosis, and who died between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2016 were included in this longitudinal study. The primary independent variable was housing status, dichotomized as ever homeless since diagnosed with HIV, and the dependent variables were disease-specific causes of death, as noted on the death certificate. The Cochran-Armitage test measured changes in the mortality rates over time and unadjusted and adjusted Poisson regression models measured prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for causes of death. RESULTS: A total of 4158 deceased individuals were included in the analyses: the majority were male (87%), ages 40-59 years old at the time of death (64%), non-Hispanic White (60%), men who have sex with men (54%), had an AIDS diagnosis prior to death (87%), and San Francisco residents at the time of death (63%). Compared to those who were housed, those who were homeless were more likely to be younger at time of death, African American, have a history of injecting drugs, female or transgender, and were living below the poverty level (all p values < 0.0001). Among decedents who were SF residents at the time of death, there were declines in the proportion of deaths due to AIDS-defining conditions (p < 0.05) and increases in accidents, cardiomyopathy, heart disease, ischemic disease, non-AIDS cancers, and drug overdoses (p < 0.05). After adjustment, deaths due to mental disorders (aPR = 1.63, 95% CI 1.24, 2.14) were more likely and deaths due to non-AIDS cancers (aPR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.44, 0.89) were less likely among those experiencing homelessness. CONCLUSIONS: Additional efforts are needed to improve mental health services to homeless people with HIV and prevent mental-health related mortality.

Incidence of first and second primary cancers diagnosed among people with HIV, 1985-2013: a population-based, registry linkage study.

BACKGROUND: Cancer survivors are at increased risk for subsequent primary cancers. People living with HIV are at increased risk for AIDS-defining and non-AIDS-defining cancers, but little is known about their risk of first versus second primary cancers. We identified first and second primary cancers that occurred in above population expected numbers among people diagnosed with HIV in San Francisco, and compared first and second cancer incidence across five time periods that corresponded to important advances in antiretroviral therapy. METHODS: In this population-based study, we used the San Francisco HIV/AIDS case registry to identify people aged 16 years and older who were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in San Francisco (CA, USA) between Jan 1, 1990, and Dec 31, 2010. We computer-matched records from the registry with the California Cancer Registry to identify primary cancers diagnosed between Jan 1, 1985, and Dec 31, 2013. We calculated year, age, sex, and race adjusted standardised incidence ratios with exact 95% CIs and trends in incidence of first and second AIDS-defining and non-AIDS-defining cancers from 1985 to 2013. FINDINGS: Of the 22 623 people diagnosed with HIV between Jan 1, 1990, and Dec 31, 2010, we identified 5655 incident primary cancers. We excluded 48 cancers with invalid cancer sequence numbers and 1062 in-situ anal cancers, leaving 4545 incident primary cancers, comprising 4144 first primary cancers, 372 second primary cancers, 26 third primary cancers, and three fourth or later primary cancers. First primary cancer standardised incidence ratios were elevated for Kaposi sarcoma (127, 95% CI 121-132), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (17·2, 16·1-18·4), invasive cervical cancer (8·0, 4·1-11·9), anal cancer (46·7, 39·7-53·6), vulvar cancer (13·3, 6·1-20·6), Hodgkin's lymphoma (10·4, 8·4-12·5), eye and orbit cancer (4·2, 1·4-6·9), lip cancer (3·8, 1·3-6·2), penile cancer (3·8, 1·4-6·1), liver cancer (3·0, 2·3-3·7), miscellaneous cancer (2·3, 1·7-3·0), testicular cancer (2·0, 1·4-2·6), tongue cancer (1·9, 1·1-2·7), and lung cancer (1·3, 95% CI 1·1-1·6). Second primary cancer risks were increased for Kaposi sarcoma (28·0, 95% CI 20·2-35·9), anal cancer (17·0, 10·2-23·8), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (11·1, 9·3-12·8), Hodgkin's lymphoma (5·4, 1·1-9·7), and liver cancer (3·6, 1·4-5·8). We observed lower first primary cancer standardised incidence ratios for prostate cancer (0·6, 95% CI 0·5-0·7), colon cancer (0·6, 0·4-0·8), and pancreatic cancer (0·6, 0·3-1·0), and lower second primary cancer standardised incidence ratios for testicular cancer (0·3, 0·0-0·9), kidney cancer (0·4, 0·0-0·9), and prostate cancer (0·6, 0·2-0·9). First and second primary AIDS-defining cancer incidence declined, and second primary non-AIDS-defining cancer incidence increased over time. INTERPRETATION: Because of an increased risk for both first and second primary cancers, enhanced cancer prevention, screening, and treatment efforts are needed for people living with HIV both before and after initial cancer diagnosis. FUNDING: University of California San Francisco and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Changing temporal trends in non-AIDS cancer mortality among people diagnosed with AIDS: San Francisco, California, 1996-2013.

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has reduced AIDS-defining cancer (ADC) mortality, but its effect on non-AIDS-defining cancer (NADC) mortality is unclear. To help inform cancer prevention and screening, we evaluated trends in NADC mortality among people with AIDS (PWA) in the ART era. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analyzed AIDS surveillance data, including causes of death from death certificates, for PWA in San Francisco who died in 1996-2013. Proportional mortality ratios (PMRs), and year, age, race, sex-adjusted standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated for 1996-1999, 2000-2005, and 2006-2013, corresponding to advances in ART. RESULTS: The study included 5822 deceased PWA of whom 90% were male and 68% were aged 35-54 at time of death. Over time, the PMRs significantly decreased for ADCs (2.6%, 1.4%, 1.2%) and increased for NADCs (4.3%, 7.0%, 12.3%). For all years combined (1996-2013) and compared to the California population, significantly elevated SMRs were observed for these cancers: all NADCs combined (2.1), anal (58.4), Hodgkin lymphoma (10.5), liver (5.2), lung/larynx (3.0), rectal (5.2), and tongue (4.7). Over time, the SMRs for liver cancer (SMR 19.8, 11.2, 5.0) significantly decreased while the SMRs remained significantly elevated over population levels for anal (SMR 123, 48.2, 45.5), liver (SMR 19.8, 11.2, 5.0), and lung/larynx cancer (SMR 5.3, 4.7, 3.6). CONCLUSION: A decline in ADC PMRs and increase in NADC PMRs represent a shift in the cancer burden, likely due to ART use. Moreover, given their elevated SMRs, anal, liver, and lung/larynx cancer remain targets for improved cancer prevention, screening, and treatment.

HIV Infection and Linkage to HIV-Related Medical Care in Large Urban Areas in the United States, 2009.

BACKGROUND: Residents of urban areas have accounted for the majority of persons diagnosed with HIV disease in the United States. Linking persons recently diagnosed with HIV to primary medical care is an important indicator in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. METHODS: We analyzed data reported to the HIV Surveillance System in 18 urban areas in the United States. Standardized executable SAS programs were distributed to determine the number of HIV cases living through 2008, number of HIV cases diagnosed in 2009, and the percentage of those diagnosed in 2009 who had reported CD4 lymphocyte or HIV viral load test results within 3 months of HIV diagnosis. Data were presented by jurisdiction, age group at diagnosis, race/ethnicity, sex at birth, birth country, disease stage, and transmission category. RESULTS: By jurisdiction, the percentage of persons diagnosed in 2009 with at least 1 CD4 or HIV viral load test within 3 months of diagnosis ranged from 48.5% to 92.5% (median: 70.9). The percentage of persons linked to care varied by age group and by racial/ethnic groups. Fourteen of the 18 areas reported that the percentage of persons linked to care was greater than 65%, the baseline measure indicated in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. CONCLUSIONS: A wide range in percent linked to HIV medical care was observed between residents of 18 urban areas in the United States with noted age and racial disparities. Routine testing and linkage efforts and intensified prevention efforts should be considered to increase access to primary HIV-related medical care.

Assessing receipt of medical care and disparity among persons with HIV/AIDS in San Francisco, 2006-2007.

We used data from HIV/AIDS surveillance case registry to assess the timing of entry into medical care, level of care received after HIV diagnosis, and to identify characteristics associated with delayed and insufficient care among persons diagnosed with HIV/AIDS between 2006 and 2007 in San Francisco. Laboratory reports of HIV viral load and CD4 test results were used as a marker for receipt of medical care. The time from HIV diagnosis to entry into care was estimated using Kaplan-Meier product limit method and independent predictors of delayed entry into care were determined using the proportional hazards model. Insufficient care was defined as less than an average of two viral load/CD4 tests per person-year of follow-up. Predictors of insufficient care were evaluated using a logistic regression model. An estimated 85% of persons diagnosed with HIV/AIDS entered care within three months after HIV diagnosis; the proportion increased to 95% within 12 months after diagnosis. Persons who were born outside of the USA and those tested at the public counseling and testing sites were more likely to delay care. Nineteen percent of persons were determined to have received insufficient care. Younger persons and those diagnosed at a hospital were more likely to receive insufficient care. A high proportion of persons diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in San Francisco established timely and adequate care after HIV diagnosis. However, delays for some individuals in entry into care and markers of insufficient care suggest that there remains a need to improve access to and sustainability of HIV-specific medical care.

Impact of housing on the survival of persons with AIDS.

BACKGROUND: Homeless persons with HIV/AIDS have greater morbidity and mortality, more hospitalizations, less use of antiretroviral therapy, and worse medication adherence than HIV-infected persons who are stably housed. We examined the effect of homelessness on the mortality of persons with AIDS and measured the effect of supportive housing on AIDS survival. METHODS: The San Francisco AIDS registry was used to identify homeless and housed persons who were diagnosed with AIDS between 1996 and 2006. The registry was computer-matched with a housing database of homeless persons who received housing after their AIDS diagnosis. The Kaplan-Meier product limit method was used to compare survival between persons who were homeless at AIDS diagnosis and those who were housed. Proportional hazards models were used to estimate the independent effects of homelessness and supportive housing on survival after AIDS diagnosis. RESULTS: Of the 6,558 AIDS cases, 9.8% were homeless at diagnosis. Sixty-seven percent of the persons who were homeless survived five years compared with 81% of those who were housed (p < 0.0001). Homelessness increased the risk of death (adjusted relative hazard [RH] 1.20; 95% confidence limits [CL] 1.03, 1.41). Homeless persons with AIDS who obtained supportive housing had a lower risk of death than those who did not (adjusted RH 0.20; 95% CL 0.05, 0.81). CONCLUSION: Supportive housing ameliorates the negative effect of homelessness on survival with AIDS.