The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report today that 60% of Americans have never been tested for HIV. The percentage of persons ever tested for HIV increased from 6.0% in 1987 to 38.0% in 1997, and then plateauing at 38.4% from 1998 to 2000. Since 2001, the percentages have remained stable at approximately 40%. A stunning 2005 statistic showed that of the 1 million people living with HIV in the US at that time, one quarter of them were not aware that they were HIV-positive. This example illustrates the importance of routine HIV screening. Current recommendations suggest clinicians screen only those adolescents and adults who are at increased risk, as well as all pregnant women. Full story.
August 11, 2008
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Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
August 12th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
We need to increase awareness about the availability of HIV testing. For years there has been a FDA-approved at home test for HIV on online home health screening companies. However, most people are now aware that these tests exist.
August 12th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Mike – I assume you are a pharmacist. If so, have you seen a lot of people asking about the HIV home tests? Have you seen many people buy them?
August 14th, 2008 at 4:52 am
Why should the us government apply mandatory test for those going for medical treatments in health facilities? The percentage would have increased. In addition to the awareness campaigns through out the country.
August 27th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Steven,
I have worked in hospitals so I have not had patients ask for them. I have started an online home health screening company so that people can get them totally anonymously. Unfortunately, only a few have sold and I now have $15 in my business account. Going from a pharmacist to broke has been awesome.
Thomas,
The CDC recommended just that in 2006 but it is not mandated so not very well followed.