State variation in AIDS drug assistance program prescription drug coverage for modifiable cardiovascular risk factors

BACKGROUND

In the United States, mortality from cardiovascular disease has become increasingly common among HIV-infected persons. One-third of HIV-infected persons in care may rely on state-run AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) for cardiovascular disease-related prescription drugs. There is no federal mandate regarding ADAP coverage for non-HIV medications.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the consistency of ADAP coverage for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and smoking cessation using clinical guidelines as the standard of care.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey of 53 state and territorial ADAP formularies.

MAIN MEASURES

ADAPs covering all first-line drugs for a cardiovascular risk factor were categorized as "consistent" with guidelines, while ADAPs covering at least one first-line drug, but not all, for a cardiovascular risk factor, were categorized as "partially consistent". ADAPs without coverage were categorized as "no coverage".

KEY RESULTS

Of 53 ADAPs, four (7.5%) provided coverage consistent with guidelines (coverage for all first-line drugs) for all four cardiovascular risk factors. Thirteen (24.5%) provided no coverage for all four risk factors. Thirty-six (68%) provided at least partially consistent coverage for at least one surveyed risk factor. State ADAPs provided coverage consistent with guidelines most frequently for type 2 diabetes (28%), followed by hypertension (25%), hyperlipidemia (15%) and smoking cessation (8%). Statins (66%) were most commonly covered and nicotine replacement therapies (9%) least often. Many ADAPs provided no first-line treatment coverage for hypertension (60%), type 2 diabetes (51%), smoking cessation (45%), and hyperlipidemia (32%).

CONCLUSIONS

Consistency of ADAP coverage with guidelines for the surveyed cardiovascular risk factors varies widely. Given the increasing lifespan of HIV-infected persons and restricted ADAP budgets, we recommend ADAP coverage be consistent with guidelines for cardiovascular risk factors.

HIV/AIDS patients who move to urban Florida counties following a diagnosis of HIV: predictors and implications for HIV prevention

We characterized patients at publicly funded HIV/AIDS patient treatment sites who moved ("migrated") post-diagnosis of HIV to five urban Florida counties, by geographic, demographic, socioeconomic and risk variables. Each patient who came for services at the sites in a 2-3 week sampling period was asked to complete a brief, self-administered questionnaire. We compared migrant with non-migrant patients to disclose characteristics predictive of migration and help plan for continuity of HIV care, future funding, and HIV prevention. Overall, 25% (range by site, 20%-38%) of the 1,286 patients in the study migrated to the counties from a non-contiguous Florida county, another state, or another country. In a multivariate model comparing interstate migrants with non-migrants, white and Hispanic race/ethnicity, age 9-29 years at first HIV diagnosis compared with older age, increasing education, highest current income and exposure category (men having sex with men and injection drug users) were independently associated with migration (all p < 0.05). In a similar model for international migrants, the independently associated variables included Hispanic ethnicity, education, and younger age at first HIV diagnosis. Although migrating can bring benefits to a patient such as improved access to health care or a new employment opportunity, it is stressful because it can result in changes in a person's social network, employment, and health care providers. Thus, moving could create unique patient needs concerning medication adherence, risk-taking, and other psychosocial needs. Given the high percentage of migrants in these urban Florida county clinics, these needs should be further examined and addressed.