Do Individuals Living with HIV know how to Access Resources in Order to Safeguard their Health in the Event of Statewide Emergency Situations?

There has been a significant increase in the number and severity of disasters over the past decades as is noted in the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters’ Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT). Access to care during such events is critical for vulnerable populations, especially those with communicable diseases such as HIV. As such, inability to access antiretroviral medications, safe food, housing, and transportation may disproportionately affect People Living with HIV (PLWH). This is especially so, because PLWH are both more likely than the general population to experience adverse effects from disasters and face multiple stigmatizing barriers to care. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was self-administered to a convenience sample of 53 volunteers who were in attendance at a World AIDS Day event in Washington, DC. This pilot study utilized scenarios to examine what PLWH would do if they ran out of medication and food in the event of an emergency situation such as a natural disaster or catastrophic event. The survey also asked about PLWHs’ housing and transportation concerns in emergency situations. Results: Analyses revealed that all areas assessed would pose a difficulty for PLWHs. Furthermore, inability to access medication (88%) and the lack of knowledge about how to access medication (92%) during a natural disaster were consistently stubborn issues. Conclusions: Findings suggested that this cohort of PLWH in DC might not be prepared for emergencies. Similarly, they do not know where to access the assistance needed to prevent health complications during emergencies and disaster situations. The results highlighted some reasons for vulnerability of PLWH in this geographical location. More planning and education are needed to safeguard the wellbeing of PLWH, lessen PLWH’s health vulnerabilities, and enhance supportive services for PLWH and their caregivers during emergency or disaster situations. Significant implications are discussed for future prevention, intervention, practices, and research as the nation moves to address the goal of “Ending HIV by 2030.”