Providing hope to millions of women and newborns around the world, perinatal HIV transmission is nearly eliminated in the United States. Once considered a leading cause of childhood HIV infections, the country has achieved an impressive feat in preventing new cases of mother-to-child transmission. Significant progress has been made over the last few decades, resulting in a decline of perinatal HIV infections to less than 200 cases per year. With the right measures, it is possible to end mother-to-child transmission of HIV, saving countless lives and improving maternal and child health outcomes. In this article, we will explore the factors that led to this remarkable achievement, the challenges encountered on the path towards zero perinatal HIV, and what the future holds for this healthcare feat.
Perinatal HIV rates in the United States have dropped significantly over the past decade, to the point where the virus is effectively eliminated, according to a new study released by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The goal of eradicating perinatal HIV, which is passed from mother to baby during pregnancy, has been a focus of the US government, and the results of the study indicate significant progress. Just 32 children in the country were diagnosed in 2019, compared to twice as many in 2010, thanks in part to mothers receiving antiretroviral therapy.
Despite this progress, the new report notes that disparities persist, with babies born to black mothers still disproportionately affected by the disease. While transmission rates for Latinx and Hispanic women and mothers who identified as “other races” have remained relatively low over the past decade, black women had the highest rates of perinatal HIV diagnoses. Healthcare professionals and researchers have identified numerous barriers that make it difficult for expectant mothers to get the daily treatment they need to prevent transmission, including securing health insurance, transportation to doctor’s appointments, and lacking secure housing or food.
Experts caution that it will be essential to continue addressing these disparities and barriers to treatment, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and recent uptick in sexually transmitted diseases. The pandemic has made it more difficult for some women to access prenatal health care due to restrictions on public transportation or childcare. Additionally, the data on HIV rates in the US only go up to 2019, so the impact of the pandemic and other recent events on perinatal HIV rates is unclear.
In an accompanying editorial, co-authors Nahida Chakhtoura, MD, MsGH, and Bill Kapogiannis, MD, both with the National Institutes of Health, urge healthcare professionals to take an active role in eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in an effort to achieve a “road to zero perinatal HIV transmission” in the United States. Chakhtoura and Kapogiannis emphasize that being proactive in identifying and promptly addressing systematic deficiencies that exacerbate health inequities is critical to ensuring progress in the future.
In conclusion, the significant strides made in the eradication of perinatal HIV in the US are truly commendable. Thanks to early intervention and treatment, coupled with improved access to healthcare and education, the number of infants born with HIV has dramatically declined over the years. As healthcare professionals continue to work tirelessly to prevent perinatal HIV transmission, it is our hope that these efforts will also extend to other parts of the world where HIV remains a major health concern for pregnant women and their babies. Let us celebrate this milestone as we aim to create a healthier, happier, and brighter future for all.
