HIV-related mortality in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic: A population-based study.

BACKGROUND: US progress towards ending the HIV epidemic was disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of the pandemic on HIV-related mortality and potential disparities.

METHODS: Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Census Bureau, HIV-related mortality data of decedents aged ≥25 years between 2012-2021 were analyzed. Excess HIV-related mortality rates were estimated by determining the difference between observed and projected mortality rates during the pandemic. The trends of mortality were quantified with Joinpoint regression analysis.

RESULTS: Of the 79,725 deaths documented in adults aged 25 years and older between 2012-2021, a significant downward trend was noted in HIV-related mortality rates before the pandemic, followed by a surge during the pandemic. The observed mortality rates were 18.8% (95%CI: 13.1%-25.5%) and 25.4% (95%CI:19.9%-30.4%) higher than the projected values in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Both of these percentages were higher than that in the general population in 2020 (16.4%, 95%CI: 14.9%-17.9%) and 2021 (19.8%, 95%CI: 18.0%-21.6%), respectively. Increased HIV-related mortality was observed across all age subgroups, but those aged 25-44 years demonstrated the greatest relative increase and the lowest COVID-19-related deaths when compared to middle- and old-aged decedents. Disparities were observed across racial/ethnic subgroups and geographic regions.

CONCLUSIONS: The pandemic led to a reversal in the attainments made to reduce the prevalence of HIV. Individuals living with HIV were disproportionately affected during the pandemic. Thoughtful policies are needed to address the disparity in excess HIV-related mortality. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.