What is the continuum?

Much effort in HIV prevention programs involves identifying disproportionately impacted populations to target limited resources. Surveillance data is often used to identify patterns and trends in the HIV epidemic over time. Findings from the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 052 clinical trial showed that treatment greatly reduced HIV transmission due to the substantial reduction in the circulating HIV. Effective treatment requires successful HIV diagnosis as well as linkage and retention in HIV care - this is the HIV care continuum. To be the most useful, public health strategies that address gaps in the HIV care continuum will require detailed information on disproportionately impacted populations.

HIVContinuum is an interactive map illustrating the HIV care continuum in several large cities and states in the United States. The maps depict the following five HIV care continuum elements:

1. New HIV diagnoses
2. Late HIV diagnoses
3. Linkage to HIV care
4. Engagement in HIV care
5. Viral Load Suppression
6. Users can filter each indicator by sex, race/ethnicity and age.

We encourage you to download the city-specific slide decks available on HIVContinuum. The recommended citation for any of the maps or resources downloaded from the site is:

1. Source: HIVContinuum (HIVContinuum.org). Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health. [Date accessed.]

The data on HIVContinuum come directly from the state or local health departments overseeing HIV surveillance in these states and cities. HIVContinuum is updated on an ongoing basis as new data become available. See the Data Methods for more information.