Pattern, Determinants, and Impact of HIV Spending on Care and Treatment in 38 High-Burden Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Abstract

: Achieving the 90-90-90 targets by 2020 requires increased focus, resources, and efficiency to provide earlier access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). We used 2009 to 2013 National AIDS Spending Assessment data to assess HIV care and treatment spending in 38 high-burden, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In 2013, 23 of the 38 high-burden countries spent less than 50% of total HIV spending on care and treatment. HIV spending on ART per people living with HIV (PLHIV; adjusted) averaged US$299 (US$32-US$2463). During 2009 to 2013, a 10% increase in average spending on care and treatment per PLHIV was associated with an increase in ART coverage of 2.4% and a decrease in estimated AIDS-related death rate of 2.4 per 1000 PLHIV. HIV spending in high-burden LMICs does not consistently reflect the new science around the preventative and clinical benefits of earlier HIV diagnosis and ART initiation.