Disparities of COVID-19 and HIV Occurrence Based on Neighborhood Infection Incidence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Staffing Levels in Philadelphia Nursing Homes: Disparities Based on the Racial Composition of Geographical Areas

Research to assess and inform health policy is an essential component of the policymaking process to advance equity in public health practice. This study investigated health disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022) in older adult institutional settings in Philadelphia, PA, to inform policy initiatives, interventions, and infrastructure development. We first explored the changing patterns of nursing staffing levels (total direct care staff and registered nurses [RNs]) measured by hours per resident per day (HPRD) before and after COVID-19. Our findings revealed that HPRD levels consistently fell below the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recommended standards from 2018 to 2022, with notable declines observed starting from 2021. Results from multilevel modeling showed significant declines in HPRD for total direct care nursing staff in nursing homes located in zip codes with a high proportion of Black residents (≥40%). In contrast, HPRD for RNs significantly declined in nursing homes located in zip codes with a lower proportion of Black residents (<40%). Moreover, higher reported direct care HPRD and RN HPRD were associated with any reported COVID-19 cases only within zip codes with a low proportion of Black residents. These findings indicate the need for additional policies to address these observed patterns in staffing levels. Our study provides a foundation for future policy reviews utilizing a conceptual framework that is health equity-centric for local and state health departments program and units intended for institutional care settings for older adults.

Risk indicators for oral ulcers among people living with HIV during the first wave of the pandemic: a cross sectional study

BACKGROUND

Little is currently known about HIV-related parameters that may increase the risk for oral ulcers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to overcome this gap in research by assessing the associations between HIV viral load, antiretroviral adherence profile, co-morbidity status, SARS-CoV-2 infection and oral ulcers among people living with HIV (PLHIV).

METHODS

This was a secondary analysis of data generated from 21,206 to 18 years and above, recruited from 152 countries through an online survey between July and December 2020. Data were extracted for 874 people who reported living with HIV. The dependent variable was reporting having oral ulcer. The independent variables were the viral load, adherence to antiretroviral treatment and a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The confounding variables were age at last birthday and sex at birth. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the associations between the dependent and independent variables after adjusting for the confounding variables.

RESULTS

Of the 874 participants, 99 (11.3%) reported having oral ulcers during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The odds of PLHIV having oral ulcers during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly higher for people who did not know their viral load than those who had undetectable viral load (AOR: 2.036; 95% CI: 1.204-3.443; p = 0.008); and people who did not adhere to the use of antiretroviral treatment than those who adhered (AOR: 4.113; 95% CI: 2.567-6.589; p < 0.001). Also, PLHIV who had SARS-CoV-2 infection had significantly higher odds of having oral ulcers than those who did not have the infection (AOR: 14.556; 95% CI: 4.500-47.078; p < 0.001). PLHIV who had co-morbidities had non-significantly higher odds of having oral ulcers than those without co-morbidities (AOR: 1.170; 95% CI: 0.656-2.085; p = 0.595).

CONCLUSION

Oral ulcers may be an indicator of poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy and unsuppressed viral load among PLHIV. It may also be an indicator of SARS-CoV-2 infection and a signal to take prompt and critical care of affected individuals because of the risk for severe COVID-19 for these individuals.

COVID-19 Outcomes and Risk Factors Among People Living with HIV

Purpose of Review

In this review, we examine the intersection of the HIV and COVID-19 epidemics with focus on COVID-19-related health outcomes and risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 among people living with HIV (PLWH).

Recent Findings

Evidence to date do not suggest a higher incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among PLWH compared to the general population, although—once exposed—PLWH are at greater risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. Key risk factors for severe COVID-19 include non-HIV comorbidities known to be associated with severe disease, as well as HIV-specific risk factors such as low CD4 + T-cell count, unsuppressed viral load, and tuberculosis co-infection. The disproportionate impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic among Black, Latinx, and Native American/Alaskan Native PLWH could worsen pre-existing disparities in health outcomes among PLWH. Data on SARS-CoV-2 vaccine protection among PLWH needs additional study, although some studies suggest decreased humoral responses among those with low CD4 + T-cell counts, while there is a signal of increased vaccine breakthrough rates among PLWH in two large observational cohorts. Data on post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) among PLWH is also limited.

Summary

PLWH do not have a higher susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2, but once exposed, they are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. Additional resources will need to be dedicated to the development of interventions to improve health outcomes and address disparities among PLWH impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.