People with HIV in New York City were frequently hospitalized. While AIDS-defining illnesses were relatively rare, non-AIDS-defining infection hospitalizations were more common. Disparities in hospitalization rates indicate a need for targeted improved primary care and comorbid disease management.

Using 2 newly developed methods, we were able to report more accurate estimates of the proportions of patients retained in care and virally suppressed. Other local health jurisdictions should consider using these new methods to measure care outcomes and monitor the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

Using surveillance data, we describe the prevalence and characteristics of individuals in New York City (NYC) co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV). Surveillance databases including persons reported to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene with HIV, HBV, and HCV by 31 December 2010 and not known to be dead as of 1 January 2000, were matched with 2000-2011 vital statistics mortality data. Of 140 606 persons reported with HIV, 4% were co-infected with HBV only, 15% were co-infected with HCV only, and 1% were co-infected with HBV and HCV. In all groups, 70-80% were male. The most common race/ethnicity and HIV transmission risk groups were non-Hispanic blacks and men who have sex with men (MSM) for HIV/HBV infection, and non-Hispanic blacks, Hispanics, and injection drug users for HIV/HCV and HIV/HBV/HCV infections. The overall age-adjusted 2000-2011 mortality was higher in co-infected than HIV mono-infected individuals. Use of population-based surveillance data provided a comprehensive characterization of HIV co-infection with HBV and HCV. Our findings emphasize the importance of targeting HIV and viral hepatitis testing and prevention efforts to populations at risk for co-infection, and of integrating HIV and viral hepatitis care and testing services.

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Living in very high- vs. low-poverty urban neighborhoods was associated with increased HIV diagnosis rates. After controlling for other factors, the association between poverty and diagnosis rates was stronger among females than among males. Alleviating poverty may help decrease HIV-related disparities.

High rates of immigration from endemic countries contribute to the high chronic hepatitis B (HBV) prevalence in New York City (NYC) compared to the United States overall, i.e. about 1 million individuals. We describe the impact of HBV infection on mortality and specific causes of death in NYC. We matched surveillance and vital statistics mortality data collected from 2000 to 2011 by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and analysed demographics and premature deaths (i.e. whether death occurred at <65 years) in persons with and without chronic HBV or HIV infection (excluding those with hepatitis C). From 2000 to 2011, a total of 588 346 adults died in NYC. Of all decedents, 568 753 (97%) had no report of HIV or HBV, and 4346 (0·7%) had an HBV report. Of HBV-infected decedents, 1074 (25%) were HIV co-infected. Fifty-five percent of HBV mono-infected and 95% of HBV/HIV co-infected decedents died prematurely. HBV disproportionately impacts two subgroups: Chinese immigrants and HIV-infected individuals. These two subgroups are geographically clustered in different neighbourhoods of NYC. Tailoring prevention and treatment messages to each group is necessary to reduce the overall burden of HBV in NYC.

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We explore relationships between place characteristics and HIV viral suppression among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in New York City (NYC). We conducted multilevel analyses to examine associations of United Hospital Fund (UHF)-level characteristics to individual-level suppression and durable suppression among MSM. Individual-level independent and dependent variables came from MSM in NYC's HIV surveillance registry who had been diagnosed in 2009-2013 (N = 7159). UHF-level covariates captured demographic composition, economic disadvantage, healthcare access, social disorder, and police stop and frisk rates. 56.89% of MSM achieved suppression; 35.49% achieved durable suppression. MSM in UHFs where 5-29% of residents were Black had a greater likelihood of suppression (reference: ≥30% Black; adjusted relative risk (ARR) = 1.07, p = 0.04). MSM in UHFs with <30 MSM-headed households/10,000 households had a lower likelihood of achieving durable suppression (reference: ≥60 MSM-headed households/10,000; ARR = 0.82; p = 0.05). Place characteristics may influence viral suppression. Longitudinal research should confirm these associations.