Georgia: Proposal for List of HIV Patients Meets Little Fight

A proposal to track positive HIV tests in Georgia using the names and addresses of patients has generated a surprisingly low volume of objections, according to Dr. Luke Shouse, HIV/AIDS surveillance coordinator for the Georgia Division of Public Health. GDPH began a month-long period of public comment Sept. 17, and has since received about 25 e-mails on the proposal. Although most of the e-mails Shouse received support HIV reporting in some form, the majority said they felt names were not the best option.

Georgia is the only state that does not track the number of its HIV cases using either a names reporting system or unique identifying code. Like all other states, Georgia has collected the names and addresses of all AIDS patients since the 1980s. Access to these data is strictly controlled. Health workers use the AIDS list to determine state assistance eligibility and track disease progression.

Nationwide, 34 states use a names-based HIV tracking system; the other 15 and the District of Columbia assign a code to some or all of their HIV-positive residents.

Shouse said the lack of HIV tracking means Georgia risks losing millions of dollars from the federal government, which plans to start using HIV data in 2005 to determine how much money states receive for AIDS prevention and treatment programs.

"The snapshot of AIDS is ten years out of date compared to what is happening now [with HIV]," said Karl Milhon, Kansas' director for HIV/AIDS services. "If you want detailed accuracy to do counseling and referred services, you need a system with hard linkages between your [number of] cases and individuals."

A 1998 CDC study found that HIV testing declined by 11 percent in Louisiana after the state began its HIV names list in 1993. Researchers said the decline was not statistically significant.

The HIV names registry would have no effect on health centers offering anonymous testing, Shouse said. The public comment period ends Oct. 16.

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