Combination prevention is cost-effective

Home-based testing and universal treatment for HIV are cost-effective and can reduce new infections in high-prevalence communities, according to a modelling study published in The Lancet Global Health. The modellers analysed data from PopART, a major study of combination HIV prevention involving more than 1 million people in South Africa and Zambia from 2013 to 2018. The analysis showed that in settings with high rates of HIV, community health workers can deliver a package of HIV interventions for less than $US 8 per person per year. The interventions included door-to-door home-based HIV counselling and testing; linkage to care; promotion of adherence to antiretroviral therapy; and voluntary medical male circumcision (Medical Xpress, 15 March 2021).