Abstract
Linking and retaining people living with HIV in ongoing, HIV medical care is vital for ending the U.S. HIV epidemic. Yet, 41–44 % of HIV+ individuals are out of care. In response, AIDS United initiated Positive Charge, a series of five HIV linkage and re-engagement projects around the U.S. This paper investigates whether three Positive Charge programs were cost effective and calculates a return on investment for each program. It uses standard methods of cost utility analysis and WHO-CHOICE thresholds. All three projects were found to be cost effective, and two were highly cost effective. Cost utility ratios ranged from $4439 to $137,271. These results suggest that HIV linkage to care programs are a productive and efficient use of public health funds.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 973-976 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | AIDS and behavior |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 1 2016 |
Keywords
- Cost effective
- Cost saving
- Cost utility analysis
- HIV
- Linkage to care
- Retention in care
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Psychology
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Infectious Diseases