As life expectancy for people living with HIV continues to rise, the focus of care is shifting from viral suppression to managing long-term health complications. New research highlights emerging risks, particularly cardiovascular diseases and treatment toxicity, that require updated care strategies.
According to a 2024 study in The Lancet HIV, people with HIV have a 50% higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to the general population, even with effective antiretroviral therapy. This is due to chronic inflammation and side effects of some older medications.
Treatment toxicity is another concern. A 2025 review in Clinical Infectious Diseases noted that long-term use of certain antiretrovirals, particularly tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), is linked to kidney and bone problems. Newer drugs like tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) have improved safety profiles but still require monitoring.
Experts recommend integrated care models that include regular cardiovascular screening, bone density tests, and kidney function checks for people with HIV. Lifestyle interventions, such as smoking cessation and exercise, are also critical.
“We need to move beyond just suppressing the virus to ensuring overall health and quality of life,” said Dr. John Brooks, a CDC HIV researcher, in a 2025 interview. The goal is to prevent these emerging conditions and improve long-term outcomes.
