Nearly all Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program patients virally suppressed in 2024

A majority (91%) of HIV patients who received care through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program were virally suppressed in 2024, according to a new Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) report. This percentage surpasses the national HIV suppression rate, which was approximately 67% in 2023.

Viral suppression is defined as having an undetectable viral load, which means less than 200 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood. When a patient is suppressed, they cannot transmit the virus, often referred to as “Undetectable=Untransmittable.” This requires daily antiretroviral medication. If doses are skipped, the viral load will rise again.

The Ryan White program served 602,000 clients in 2024, which represents more than 50% of HIV patients in the United States. However, there is more work that needs to be done—people who are undiagnosed or not engaged in care account for approximately 87% of new HIV transmissions, data from the CDC shows.

People fall out of HIV care for a variety of reasons, including socioeconomic reasons, mental health issues and stigma.

Beyond stigma and mental health challenges, structural barriers continue to prevent consistent engagement in HIV care. Limited access to primary care providers, lack of reliable transportation and gaps in health insurance coverage can make it difficult for patients to attend regular appointments or refill medications on time. These challenges are often compounded in rural areas, where specialized HIV care may be hours away, and among marginalized populations who face discrimination within the health care system. Without consistent treatment and monitoring, patients are more likely to experience viral rebound, worsening health outcomes and an increased risk of transmitting HIV to others.

In response, in 2024, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program launched the Ryan White Program 2030, which focuses on patients who are undiagnosed or not receiving care. This includes mental health care, housing and transportation, all of which, when addressed, improve health outcomes. This is especially true in communities with fewer resources and lower incomes who cannot afford treatment or preventative services or attend their appointments due to transportation barriers.

In 2024, 59% of Ryan White HIV patients lived at or below 100% of the federal poverty line, 18% had no health care coverage and 5% experienced unstable housing.

Due to HIV treatment advancements, the number of older adults with HIV is increasing, and in 2022, 54% of patients diagnosed with HIV were ages 50 and up. Almost half (47%) of Ryan White patients are ages 50 and older.

Aging with HIV increases a patient’s risk of developing age-related conditions earlier due to chronic inflammation from the virus and medication side effects. Fixed incomes can also be a barrier to affording care, depending on health insurance coverage.

“For 35 years, HRSA’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program has transformed HIV from a death sentence into a manageable chronic condition by ensuring access to comprehensive care, medications, and essential support services nationwide,” HRSA Administrator Thomas Engels said in a news release.