Mental illness and substance use disorders are common co-morbidities among people with HIV infection. These conditions are under-diagnosed and under-treated despite extensive evidence that they are associated with HIV transmission risk, failure to initiate and adhere to treatment, slower viral suppression, faster virilogic failure, and increased morbidity and mortality. HIV-related neurocognitive disorders are also common (even among people on effective antiretroviral treatment) and can interfere with treatment through forgetfulness, the most common reason for nonadherence to medication. This workshop seeks to encourage the use of screening tools to identify important and neglected co-morbidities that undermine HIV care and treatment. All three goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy are addressed by promoting treatment as prevention, optimizing health outcomes and addressing well-known health disparities in the detection and treatment of mental, substance use and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Learning Objectives: