Missed Connections: HIV-Infected People Never in Care

a AbstrAct Objective. Clinical interventions that lengthen life after HIV infection and sig- nificantly reduce transmission could have greater impact if more HIV-diagnosed people received HIV care. We tested a surveillance-based approach to investi- gating reasons for delayed entry to care. Methods. Health department staff in three states and two cities contacted eligible adults diagnosed with HIV four to 24 months previously who had no reported CD41 lymphocyte (CD4) or viral load (VL) tests. The staff conducted interviews, performed CD4 and VL testing, and provided referrals to HIV medical care. Reported CD4 and VL tests were prospectively monitored to determine if respondents had entered care after the interview.