The serostatus approach to fighting the HIV epidemic: Prevention strategies for infected individuals

In the United States, HIV prevention programs have historically tailored ac tivities for specific groups primarily on the basis of behavioral risk fact ors and demographic characteristics. Through the Serostatus Approach to Fig hting the Epidemic (SAFE), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention i s now expanding prevention programs, especially for individuals with HIV to reduce the risk of transmission as a supplement to current programs that p rimarily focus on reducing the risk of acquisition of the virus. For individuals with HIV, SAFE comprises action steps that focus on diagnos ing all HIV-infected persons, linking them to appropriate high-quality care and prevention services, helping them adhere to treatment regimens, and su pporting them in adopting and sustaining HIV risk reduction behavior. SAFE couples a traditional infectious disease control focus on the infected pers on with behavioral interventions that have been standard for MV prevention programs.