An EMBARC’s study presented at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections

 

Our study “Health disparities due to nonadherence to antipsychotics in PLWH with schizophrenia” has been selected for a Science Spotlights presentation at the 28th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI). In light of the ongoing corona virus pandemic, the conference was held virtually from March 6 to March 10, 2021. Dr. Lima presented the study on behalf of the co-authors, highlighting the economic (i.e., higher hospitalization and physician visit costs) and clinical impacts (i.e., higher virologic failure, more hospital readmissions and longer hospital stays) associate with non-adherence to antipsychotics among people living with HIV/AIDS and schizophrenia. These adverse impacts were exacerbated among women and people with history of injection drug use. Focusing on these vulnerable groups, implementing strategies and interventions to increase antipsychotic adherence will be critical in addressing this public health challenge.