This LINKLA study was spearheaded by CHIPTS Core Scientist William Cunningham MD, MPH, and was published in JAMA online on March 12th titled, “Effectiveness of a Peer Navigation Intervention to Sustain Viral Suppression Among HIV-Positive Men and Transgender Women Released From Jail: The LINK LA Randomized Clinical Trial.”
The following information is available on Pubmed here. To see the full publication, contact JAMA for the official e-publication.
Diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, linkage and retention in care, and adherence to antiretroviral therapy are steps in the care continuum enabling consistent viral suppression for people living with HIV, extending longevity and preventing further transmission. While incarcerated, people living with HIV receive antiretroviral therapy and achieve viral suppression more consistently than after they are released. No interventions have shown sustained viral suppression after jail release.
To test the effect on viral suppression in released inmates of the manualized LINK LA (Linking Inmates to Care in Los Angeles) peer navigation intervention compared with standard transitional case management controls, a randomized clinical trial was conducted from December 2012 through October 2016 with people living with HIV being released from Los Angeles (LA) County Jail.