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Treatment and Care Programs

Federal Programs for the Care and Treatment of People with HIV

Today, with proper HIV treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART), people with HIV can stay healthy, live longer, and significantly reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to others. Many Federal programs help make care and treatment available to people living with HIV. Use the HIV Testing and Care Services Locator at the right to locate federally–supported care and treatment services near you. Read descriptions of various federal HIV care and treatment programs and activities below.

Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program provides HIV-related health services for those who do not have sufficient healthcare coverage or financial resources to cover their HIV care needs. The program works with cities, states, and local community-based organizations to supply services to more than half a million people each year.

The majority of Ryan White funds sustain primary medical care and essential support services. A smaller (but equally critical) portion is used to fund technical assistance, clinical training, and research on innovative models of care.

The Ryan White Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB). The Ryan White legislation created a number of programs, called Parts, to meet needs of different communities and populations affected by HIV/AIDS. Each is described below.

Through the Affordable Care Act, many people living with HIV can access health care coverage they need to support their care and treatment. Read more about the ACA and people living with HIV.

Federal HIV/AIDS Treatment Guidelines

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) also publishes guidelines to assist providers in offering HIV treatment. These guidelines are developed in collaboration with agencies across the Federal government, and in conjunction with clinicians and care providers across the country:

Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in HIV-1-Infected Adults and Adolescents
Developed by the HHS Panel on Antiretroviral Guidelines for Adults and Adolescents—a working group of the Office of AIDS Research’s Advisory Council (OARAC).

Public Health Service Task Force Recommendations for Use of Antiretroviral Drugs in Pregnant HIV-Infected Women for Maternal Health and Interventions to Reduce Perinatal HIV Transmission in the United States
Guidelines for treating pregnant women who are living with HIV and for preventing HIV transmission to their unborn babies.

Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Pediatric HIV Infection 
Guidelines for clinicians who treat HIV infection in young children, typically aged 0-12 years old. These guidelines contain specific and supplemental information on antiretroviral use in children and infants, including adverse drug reactions.

Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in HIV-Infected Adults and Adolescents
General treatment guidelines for preventing and treating opportunistic infections in adults and adolescents with HIV, including specific information on prophylaxis and treatment options for advanced illness.

Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections among HIV-Exposed and HIV-Infected Children
Guidelines similar to those for adults, but with specific information on opportunistic infections more commonly seen in pediatric patients, as well as pediatric guidelines for pharmacological treatments.

For a comprehensive list of these guidelines, as well as options to download PDF versions, slide sets, and other related documents, see AIDSinfo’s Clinical Guidelines Portal.

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Programs

Behavioral Health Services (SAMHSA Programs)
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, administers grants and other efforts that provide behavioral health support to those with HIV, AIDS, and viral hepatitis. SAMHSA addresses the issues of HIV, AIDS, and viral hepatitis by providing grant opportunities to support:

  • Coordinated mental health and addiction treatment services
  • HIV testing with pre- and post-test counseling
  • Referrals for treatment
  • Testing for other infectious diseases

National Mental Health Information Center – HIV/AIDS (SAMHSA)
HIV and AIDS often can be accompanied by depression, an illness that can affect mind, body and behavior. SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Service (CMHS) develops program models that provide mental health services to individuals, families, and others living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.

Safe Community Needle Disposal Program (CDC)
The treatment of medical conditions and the injection of illegal drugs result in billions of used syringes every year. Safe disposal of used syringes is a public health priority. This resource provides information about what communities can do to manage used syringes safely.

Substance Abuse (National Library of Medicine, NIH)

This list of resources covers both the abuse of specific substances in additional to alcohol and how substance abuse relates to HIV/AIDS.

Housing Programs & Resources

Housing Opportunities for Persons With HIV/AIDS (HOPWA)
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program, the only Federal program dedicated to the housing needs of people living with HIV. Under the HOPWA program, HUD makes grants to local communities, States, and nonprofit organizations for projects that benefit low-income people living with HIV/AIDS and their families.

Community Planning and Development (CPD)
HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) seeks to develop viable communities by promoting integrated approaches that provide decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expand economic opportunities for low and moderate income persons. The primary means towards this end is the development of partnerships among all levels of government and the private sector, including for-profit and non-profit organizations.

Affordable Housing Programs
HUD’S Office of Affordable Housing Programs (OAHP)  administers grant programs designed to increase the stock of housing affordable to low-income households. The lack of affordable housing is a significant hardship for low-income households preventing them from meeting their other basic needs, such as nutrition and health care, or saving for their future and that of their families.

Fair Housing and Equal Opportunities
HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) administers  and enforces federal laws and establishes national policies that make sure all Americans have equal access to the housing of their choice.

Housing Discrimination
Housing discrimination based on your race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability is illegal by Federal law. If you have been trying to buy or rent a home or apartment and you believe your rights have been violated, you can file a fair housing complaint using HUD’s online Housing Discrimination Complaint form.

Housing for Persons with Disabilities
HUD’s Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities Program allows persons with disabilities to live as independently as possible in the community by subsidizing rental housing opportunities which provide access to appropriate supportive services.

Housing for Senior Citizens
HUD’s Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program helps expand the supply of affordable housing with supportive services for the elderly.

Last revised: 06/06/2012