June 27, 2011
Dear Colleague,
Today is National HIV Testing Day, which presents a critical opportunity to widelypromote HIV-testing and diagnosis of HIV across the U.S.
Currently, about 1.2 million people are living with HIV in the U.S. The number of people living with HIV has risen every year because new infections have remained relatively stable and survival has increased due to improvements in antiretroviral therapy and access to care. However, testing is the only way to identify the more than 200,000 Americans currently living with HIV who do not know they’re infected – that’s 1 in 5 of all Americans with HIV. Early testing and diagnosis is critical for connecting people to life-extending treatment, thereby preventing the spread of HIV to partners.
Increasing HIV testing and linkage to care and services are among our country’s top health priorities as testing saves lives and resources. Each HIV infection averted saves an estimated $367,000 (2009 dollars) in lifetime medical costs. CDC and health departments recently completed the first three years of the Expanded Testing Initiative (ETI). This large-scale HIV testing program was very successful.Approximately 2.8 million tests were conducted, newly diagnosing 18,000 people with HIV, and linking thousands of people to life-prolonging care. To build on the success of ETI, CDC expanded the focus and funding of the program and now provides funding for testing services in 30 jurisdictions with a high burden of HIV. The current goal for the program is to reach populations most heavily affected by HIV, including African Americans, Latinos, gay and bisexual men, and injection drug users.
The proportion of Americans who rate HIV as the most urgent health problem for the nation has reduced from 44% in 1995 to 6% in 2009. Yet, the number of Americans with HIV has increased. We need to encourage action—from all of us.We should continue to expand HIV testing and support prevention efforts in our local communities. More than half of American adults have never been tested for HIV. Yet, testing is the essential element for HIV prevention and treatment. When we do not know our status, we cannot access HIV-specific care, including antiretroviral treatment and other supportive services. Knowing one has HIV also greatly reduces risk behavior and the chance that a person will spread the virus to others.
On this National HIV Testing Day and throughout the year, let us work together to increase the number of people who are aware of their HIV status. As individuals, let us commit to getting tested for HIV. National HIV Testing Day is among the best time to get tested as free testing events are happening throughout the country – in community centers, mobile vans, places of worship and other venues. Doctors, nurses, and other health care providers can offer all patients HIV testing as a routine part of their health care; communities can support HIV testing at multiple venues; state and local health departments can create programs and adopt policies for offering routine HIV testing in health care settings and to help people at high risk for HIV get tested frequently; and, the U.S. Government will continue to work to achieve the testing and linkage to care goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.
No matter what your role is in fighting the HIV epidemic, today is the day to make your resolution. National HIV testing sites can be located at www.hivtest.org or by calling 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636).
Sincerely,
Jonathan H. Mermin, M.D., M.P.H.
Director
Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral
Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
Kevin Fenton, M.D., Ph.D., F.F.P.H.
Director
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral
Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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