Changing Mortality and Patterns of Death Causes in HIV Infected Patients — China, 2013–2022

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC? The advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has markedly decreased mortality rates among patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Globally, there has been a 43% reduction in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related deaths from 2010 to 2022. Additionally, prior research indicates that the initiation of ART at an early stage within China has substantially lowered mortality rates. WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT? Over the previous decade, following the implementation of China’s universal ART access strategy, the patterns of mortality causes among HIV-infected individuals across the country have undergone significant alterations. In 2022, the all-cause mortality rate among this population was reported at 2.7%, with the non-AIDS-related mortality rate at 1.8%. However, it is important to consider that the accuracy of death reporting could contribute to potential misclassification of the underlying causes of death. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE? Efforts to enhance health outcomes should persist in emphasizing the advancement of ART strategies, with a particular focus on mitigating non-AIDS-related mortality in the future.