2026, Number 1
Cardiovasc Metab Sci 2026; 37 (1)
WHO 2025 HIV guideline: Integrating cardiometabolic care into HIV services
Abiola-Adepoju, Victor; Abdulrahim, Abdulrakib; Jamil, Safayet
ABSTRACT
The World Health Organization (WHO)’s 2025 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) service delivery guideline recognizes that the epidemic is entering a new era marked by ageing, multimorbidity, and limited resources.1 Although global Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) coverage now reaches 31.6 million people, only 73% of People living with HIV (PLHIV) achieve viral suppression.2 Increasing life expectancy increases vulnerability to chronic comorbidities. In sub-Saharan Africa, 5-10% of PLHIV have diabetes, and 20-25% have hypertension. A meta-analysis of 10,916 participants across East Africa found hypertension prevalence at 19.75%, with alcohol use, diabetes, and longer HIV duration as key predictors.3 Traditional HIV clinics, structured for infectious disease management, remain poorly equipped for lifelong chronic care. Without addressing hypertension and diabetes, cardiovascular risk will escalate, ultimately threatening viral suppression and the hard-won gains of the HIV response.