title: Strategies to improve access to and utilization of health care services and adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected drug users.
abstract: We review five innovative strategies to improve access, utilization, and adherence for HIV-infected drug users and suggest areas that need further attention. In addition, we highlight two innovative programs. The first increases access and utilization through integrated HIV and opioid addiction treatment with buprenorphine in a community health center, and the second incorporates adherence counseling for antiretroviral therapy in methadone programs. Preliminary evaluations demonstrated that these strategies may improve both HIV and opioid addiction outcomes and may be appropriate for wider dissemination. Further refinement and expansion of strategies to improve outcomes of HIV-infected drug users is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York 10467, USA. ccunning@montefiore.org
authors.forename: Chinazo O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: Nancy L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Sohler
authors.forename: Nina A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Cooperman
authors.forename: Karina M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.forename: Alain H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Litwin
authors.forename: Julia H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Arnsten
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D055030:Drug Users; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents