CDC Increases HIV Testing Program

CDC on Thursday announced the expansion of an initiative through which more than 1.4 million Americans have been tested for HIV. During the next three years, funding for the effort will increase by approximately $31.5 million, and a total of $142.5 million will be awarded to state and local health departments in eligible jurisdictions to increase HIV testing in health care and non-health care settings.

The current initiative began in 2007 and will end in September 2010, concurrent with the launch of the new project. During the program's first two years, more than 10,000 persons were newly diagnosed with HIV, of whom 75 percent were linked to health care. Sixty-two percent of those tested in the initial phase were African Americans.

The expanded effort will reach more jurisdictions and populations, including men who have sex with men, Latinas, Latinos, and injection drug users. Areas of the United States where these populations are hit hardest by HIV will be the focus of the testing services.

"HIV testing is a crucial step in reducing new HIV infections, so that those infected with HIV can be linked to medical care and ongoing support to help them maintain safer behaviors," said Dr. Kevin Fenton, director of CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention.

"The expansion of this initiative reflects CDC's continued commitment to ensure that far more Americans are tested for HIV, especially among vulnerable men and women most in need of HIV services," said Dr. Jonathan Mermin, director of CDC's Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention.

The number of jurisdictions in which state and local health departments are eligible for the funding has been increased from 25 to 30. The funds will be awarded in August. For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/funding/PS10-10138/index.htm.

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