Black gay and bisexual men living with HIV currently have a shorter life expectancy than their white peers, but improving care could help close the gap, according to a study presented at IDWeek 2022.

The researchers used a microsimulation model to project life expectancy for HIV-positive Black and white men who have sex with men. They then looked at the impact of various strategies for improving care. The model projected life expectancy from age 15 under five scenarios: status quo HIV care, earlier diagnosis with annual HIV testing, improving engagement in care to 95%, increasing viral suppression to 95% and a combination of all three strategies.

Among those receiving status quo HIV care, the projected life expectancy was 52.2 years for Black men versus 58.5 years for white men. Under each of the proposed scenarios, Black men benefited more from the improvements than their white peers. Increased engagement in care added 1.4 life-years for Black men and 1.0 life-years for white men. Combining all three strategies, Black men’s life expectancy increased twice as much as that of white men, with gains of 3.4 and 1.6 life-years, respectively.

“Equity-focused solutions combating structural barriers to care are essential to reduce disparities and improve outcomes,” says senior study author Emily Hyle, MD, of Harvard Medical School.