A New Era of HIV Risk: It's Not What You Know, it's Who You Know (and How Infectious)

Posted: 18 Jan 2019

See all articles by Andrew C. Cortopassi

Andrew C. Cortopassi

University of Connecticut - Department of Psychological Sciences

Redd Driver

University of Connecticut - Department of Psychological Sciences

Lisa A. Eaton

University of Connecticut - Department of Human Development and Family Studies

Seth C. Kalichman

University of Connecticut - Department of Psychological Sciences

Date Written: January 2019

Abstract

HIV is transmitted in social and sexual relationships, and HIV transmission risks, as well as protective actions, are evolving as HIV epidemics unfold. The current focus of HIV prevention is centered on antiretroviral medications used to reduce HIV infectiousness in persons already infected with HIV [treatment as prevention (TasP)]. The same medications used to treat infected persons can also be used by uninfected persons as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the infectivity of HIV. Both PrEP and TasP are effective when adherence is high and individuals do not have co-occurring sexually transmitted infections. HIV prevention is most effective and efficient when delivered within sexual networks with high HIV prevalence. Specific network characteristics are recognized as important facilitators of HIV transmission; these characteristics include the degree of similarity among network members (homophily), gender role norms, and belief systems. Since 2011, HIV risk has been redefined based on infectiousness and infectivity, ushering in a new era of HIV prevention with the potential to end HIV epidemics.

Suggested Citation

Cortopassi, Andrew C. and Driver, Redd and Eaton, Lisa A. and Kalichman, Seth C., A New Era of HIV Risk: It's Not What You Know, it's Who You Know (and How Infectious) (January 2019). Annual Review of Psychology, Vol. 70, pp. 673-701, 2019, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3318196 or http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010418-102927

Andrew C. Cortopassi (Contact Author)

University of Connecticut - Department of Psychological Sciences ( email )

406 Babbidge Road, Unit 1020
Storrs, CT 06269
United States

Redd Driver

University of Connecticut - Department of Psychological Sciences

406 Babbidge Road, Unit 1020
Storrs, CT 06269
United States

Lisa A. Eaton

University of Connecticut - Department of Human Development and Family Studies

348 Mansfield Road, U-1058
Storrs, CT 06269-1058
United States

Seth C. Kalichman

University of Connecticut - Department of Psychological Sciences

406 Babbidge Road, Unit 1020
Storrs, CT 06269
United States

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