Timely Initiation of HIV Antiretroviral Therapy Among Those Who Delay/Decline

This study addresses racial/ethnic disparities in HIV/AIDS treatment. Many persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) in the U.S. (10-19% of PLHA), predominantly African-Americans and Latinos, delay taking Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) until late in the course of their HIV disease or never initiate HAART when it is medically indicated. However, there are no behavioral interventions to increase HAART initiation among PLHA who delay or decline HAART ("PLHA-DD"). The overarching aim of the proposed study is to develop a flexible, targeted, and sustainable behavioral intervention to increase HAART initiation among PLHA-DD, which, if efficacious, will lead to reductions in morbidity, early mortality, and health care costs, as well as increased viral load suppression (reducing transmission to others). Further, the study complements and primes participants for existing adherence interventions, from which PLHA-DD can benefit when they initiate HAART.