#adherence

Such agreements helped people on antiretrovirals without viral suppression succeed on HIV treatment.

For those who achieve viral suppression within nine months of starting meds, the rebound risk declines steadily over seven years.

A review of Medicaid data found marked improvement on this measure between 2001 and 2010.

People in the program were also less likely to take antidepressants.

A study also found that nurse-led counseling sessions influenced quality of life—and length of life.

Those who adhered well for the first four months after starting treatment were more likely to sustain viral suppression.

Although the study did not focus on people with HIV, it raises questions about scalable methods to improve adherence among them.

Follow-up sessions may be needed to ensure such a boost endures, however.

In a small Bay Area program that provided daily meals and snacks to people with HIV, diabetes or both, rates of depression also dropped.

An ongoing study in Uganda offers the chance for small prizes to those who make scheduled clinic appointments or adhere well.

How to get the most out of your doctor visit

In a post titled “Fighting My Way Up,” POZ blogger Aundaray Guess reflects on his struggles with adherence to his HIV medications.

A study in Uganda also found that switching from a monitoring system that stores data for later download reduced treatment interruptions.

How to decide when to start antiretroviral therapy and which drugs to take