Moving from fact to policy: housing is HIV prevention and health care

Abstract

A growing body of empirical evidence shows strong correlations between improved housing status and reduced HIV risk behaviors, improved access to health care for persons living with HIV/AIDS, and better health outcomes. These findings support the provision of housing assistance for low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS: as a basic human right; as a necessary component of systems to enable individuals to manage their HIV/AIDS care and treatment; and as an exciting new tool to end the AIDS crisis in America by reducing the number of new HIV infections. This paper provides a public policy framework for consideration of the research reported in this special issue of AIDS and Behavior, and offers suggestions for using research to move policy and practice towards a true public health response to the housing needs of persons at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS.