Prison Breaks?

According to a new study, prison may be the most healthful place for inmates with HIV. Jacques Baillargeon from the University of Texas, Galveston, broke down the number of HIV-positive former inmates who filled prescriptions for antiretroviral medications within 60 days of release: 70% never filled the prescriptions, and others didn't fill them soon enough to avoid dangerous treatment gaps during which HIV can develop resistance to the meds. 'We found that 90% or more of released inmates did not file a prescription for antiretroviral therapy medication soon enough to avoid treatment interruption,' the study says. 'These results indicate that better support and follow-up are needed to achieve improved health outcomes for ex-inmates and their families and their communities.'