12.2 TRANSITION TO ADULT CARE: ASSESSING PREPAREDNESS FOR YOUTH LIVING WITH HIV

Abstract

According to the CDC, transition-age youth (TAY), aged 13 to 24 years, comprised approximately one-fifth of new HIV infections in 2018. Current trends suggest that a rising number of these youth will shift from pediatric healthcare services to adult-oriented services. The importance of this developmental transition has been widely acknowledged across chronic illnesses and is not unique to youth living with HIV. However, the transition to adult care for youth living with HIV may present unique opportunities and challenges. TAY living with HIV have the most difficulty achieving viral suppression and retention in care. HIV-related stigma, comorbid medical and mental health concerns, and increased psychosocial stressors all further complicate this transition. Consequently, special attention to the assessment of TAY’s readiness to transfer care must be considered. As such, this presentation will focus on the pretransition assessment of TAY living with HIV and current practices to prepare them to transfer to adult care. Specific attention will be paid to cognitive, developmental, and mental health considerations as well as unique psychosocial factors impacting youth living with HIV.