HIV/AIDS Prevention

CDC has awarded a contract for the operation of the National AIDS Hotline, National STD Hotline, and the new National Immunization Hotline to the American Social Health Association (ASHA). This is a 1-year contract with four 1-year options for renewal. While ASHA has operated the National AIDS Hotline (NAH) under contract with CDC since 1986, this is the first time that all three hotlines will operate under one contract with a coordinating project office under ASHA.

The CDC NAH is presently the world's largest health information service and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Cumulatively, NAH has received nearly 13 million calls (about 3,000 calls each day). During media events, such as the Day of Compassion on June 20, the Hotline expects to receive at least 50,000 calls.

"We see ourselves as leaders in the hotline community," says Ami Israel, Director of NAH. She believes that the demographics of callers to the AIDS Hotline are changing, with more young people and minorities represented.

"For the first 10 years, we were a focal point for hard information on HIV/AIDS," she says. "While we continue to provide information and referrals, we are evolving into a source for technical assistance. NAH is increasingly being asked for help with establishing other AIDS hotline services -- especially in Latin American countries. I think we are at a point where we can support professionals in targeting special populations in the areas of HIV prevention."

CDC National AIDS Hotline:
1-800-CDC-INFO

CDC National STD Hotline:
1-800-227-8922

CDC National Immunization Information Hotline:
1-800-232-2522

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