Peer Support for People Living With HIV: Global Evidence to Inform Practice in Chile

Despite advances in antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV remains a significant public health challenge worldwide, particularly in Latin America, where stigma, mental health needs, and social inequities persist. In Chile, although the national HIV law mandates state responsibility for treatment and prevention, structured peer-led strategies for people living with HIV (PLHIV) have not yet been widely integrated into health services, and local evidence on their impact is limited. This Practice Note reviews recent global research on peer support interventions to identify lessons relevant for designing culturally sensitive and sustainable programs in Chile. International studies demonstrate that peer support can improve ART adherence, mental health, social connectedness, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, effective implementation requires careful cultural adaptation, structured training, sustainable funding, and integration into health care systems. Establishing peer support as a core element of HIV care could align with Chile's legal obligations and be incorporated as a minimum competency within hospital and primary care teams. Moreover, life-history research in Latin America is urgently needed to illuminate local experiences and social dynamics that shape the acceptability and effectiveness of peer-led approaches. Practitioners and policymakers should recognize peer support not merely as an optional adjunct but as an essential strategy to humanize HIV care, promote holistic well-being, and help achieve national and global HIV goals. The time has come to translate global evidence into locally meaningful action to ensure that PLHIV in Chile receive comprehensive, person-centered care.