CDC-Funded HIV Testing Services Outcomes and Social Determinants of Health in Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. Jurisdictions.

We performed an ecological analysis to examine associations between CDC-funded HIV testing services outcomes and social determinants of health (SDOH) among Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. jurisdictions. Using National HIV Prevention Program Monitoring & Evaluation (2020) and American Community Survey (2016-2020) data, we ran robust Poisson models (adjusted for race/ethnicity). In healthcare settings, a 10% absolute increase in percentage without health insurance was associated with a 40% lower prevalence of newly diagnosed positivity (aPR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.43-0.83); a $5,000 increase in median household income (aPR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.03-1.06) and a 10% absolute increase in percentage unemployed (aPR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.31-2.46) were associated with 4% and 80%, respectively, higher prevalence of percentage linked to HIV medical care within 30 days of diagnosis (i.e., linkage). In non-healthcare settings, a 10% absolute increase in percentage with less than high school diploma (aPR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.29-0.96) was associated with a 47% lower prevalence of newly diagnosed positivity, whereas a 10% absolute increase in percentage without health insurance (aPR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.29-2.88) was associated with a 92% higher prevalence of newly diagnosed positivity; a 10% absolute increase in percentage with less than high school diploma was associated with a 35% lower prevalence of linkage (aPR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.43-0.97). Addressing SDOH in HIV prevention programs will play an important role in ending the HIV epidemic.

Seroconversion, seroreversion, and serowaffling among participants initiating antiretroviral therapy in Project DETECT.

BACKGROUND: Incomplete HIV seroconversion and seroreversion are increasingly documented by testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis programs more than previously recognized. This analysis reports on incomplete seroconversion and seroreversion by specimen and test type among Project DETECT participants. METHODS: Project DETECT included a longitudinal study of point-of-care tests. Participants were categorized as having "incomplete seroconversion" if all timepoints had ≥1 nonreactive test at study censoring. Among participants with incomplete seroconversion, we defined "seroreversion" as sustained regression to nonreactive for any test following a reactive result. We define "serowaffling" as any reactive result followed by a nonreactive and then reactive result. We used Fisher's exact tests to explore relationships between Fiebig stage at ART initiation and incomplete seroconversion, seroreversion, and serowaffling. RESULTS: Twenty of 1940 Project DETECT participants met criteria for this subset. Ten participants had complete seroconversion after a median of 23 (IQR 16-47) days following initial positive tests. Ten participants had incomplete seroconversion, eight of whom had seroreversion. Incomplete seroconversion with persistent nonreactive tests was seen only with oral fluid (OF). Of eight participants with seroreversion, all experienced seroreversion of OF tests if the test was ever reactive (n = 6); seroreversion occurred in fingerstick and venipuncture tests in two participants. Serowaffling occurred in nine (45%) participants. No associations were seen between Fiebig stage at ART start and complete seroconversion, seroregression, or serowaffling in our sample. CONCLUSIONS: OF tests may be particularly susceptible to providing false-negative results. Seroreversion and incomplete seroconversion among individuals on antiretroviral treatment may represent a growing problem for HIV testing and treatment programs.

Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit Overcrowding and Ventilator Shortages in US Hospitals During the COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-2021.

OBJECTIVE: In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic overburdened the US health care system because of extended and unprecedented patient surges and supply shortages in hospitals. We investigated the extent to which several US hospitals experienced emergency department (ED) and intensive care unit (ICU) overcrowding and ventilator shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We analyzed Health Pulse data to assess the extent to which US hospitals reported alerts when experiencing ED overcrowding, ICU overcrowding, and ventilator shortages from March 7, 2020, through April 30, 2021. RESULTS: Of 625 participating hospitals in 29 states, 393 (63%) reported at least 1 hospital alert during the study period: 246 (63%) reported ED overcrowding, 239 (61%) reported ICU overcrowding, and 48 (12%) reported ventilator shortages. The number of alerts for overcrowding in EDs and ICUs increased as the number of COVID-19 cases surged. CONCLUSIONS: Timely assessment and communication about critical factors such as ED and ICU overcrowding and ventilator shortages during public health emergencies can guide public health response efforts in supporting federal, state, and local public health agencies.

Building capacity of community health centers to overcome data challenges with the development of an agile COVID-19 public health registry: a multistate quality improvement effort.

OBJECTIVE: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, federally qualified health centers rapidly mobilized to provide SARS-CoV-2 testing, COVID-19 care, and vaccination to populations at increased risk for COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. We describe the development of a reusable public health data analytics system for reuse of clinical data to evaluate the health burden, disparities, and impact of COVID-19 on populations served by health centers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Multistate Data Strategy engaged project partners to assess public health readiness and COVID-19 data challenges. An infrastructure for data capture and sharing procedures between health centers and public health agencies was developed to support existing capabilities and data capacities to respond to the pandemic. RESULTS: Between August 2020 and March 2021, project partners evaluated their data capture and sharing capabilities and reported challenges and preliminary data. Major interoperability challenges included poorly aligned federal, state, and local reporting requirements, lack of unique patient identifiers, lack of access to pharmacy, claims and laboratory data, missing data, and proprietary data standards and extraction methods. DISCUSSION: Efforts to access and align project partners' existing health systems data infrastructure in the context of the pandemic highlighted complex interoperability challenges. These challenges remain significant barriers to real-time data analytics and efforts to improve health outcomes and mitigate inequities through data-driven responses. CONCLUSION: The reusable public health data analytics system created in the Multistate Data Strategy can be adapted and scaled for other health center networks to facilitate data aggregation and dashboards for public health, organizational planning, and quality improvement and can inform local, state, and national COVID-19 response efforts.

Trends in Use of Telehealth Among Health Centers During the COVID-19 Pandemic - United States, June 26-November 6, 2020.

Telehealth can facilitate access to care, reduce risk for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]), conserve scarce medical supplies, and reduce strain on health care capacity and facilities while supporting continuity of care. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-funded health centers* expanded telehealth† services during the COVID-19 pandemic (1). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services eliminated geographic restrictions and enhanced reimbursement so that telehealth services-enabled health centers could expand telehealth services and continue providing care during the pandemic (2,3). CDC and HRSA analyzed data from 245 health centers that completed a voluntary weekly HRSA Health Center COVID-19 Survey§ for 20 consecutive weeks to describe trends in telehealth use. During the weeks ending June 26-November 6, 2020, the overall percentage of weekly health care visits conducted via telehealth (telehealth visits) decreased by 25%, from 35.8% during the week ending June 26 to 26.9% for the week ending November 6, averaging 30.2% over the study period. Weekly telehealth visits declined when COVID-19 cases were decreasing and plateaued as cases were increasing. Health centers in the South and in rural areas consistently reported the lowest average percentage of weekly telehealth visits over the 20 weeks, compared with health centers in other regions and urban areas. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, maintaining and expanding telehealth services will be critical to ensuring access to care while limiting exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

Telehealth Practice Among Health Centers During the COVID-19 Pandemic - United States, July 11-17, 2020.

Early in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, in-person ambulatory health care visits declined by 60% across the United States, while telehealth* visits increased, accounting for up to 30% of total care provided in some locations (1,2). In March 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released updated regulations and guidance changing telehealth provisions during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, including the elimination of geographic barriers and enhanced reimbursement for telehealth services† (3-6). The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) administers a voluntary weekly Health Center COVID-19 Survey§ to track health centers' COVID-19 testing capacity and the impact of COVID-19 on operations, patients, and staff. CDC and HRSA analyzed data from the weekly COVID-19 survey completed by 1,009 HRSA-funded health centers (health centers¶) for the week of July 11-17, 2020, to describe telehealth service use in the United States by U.S. Census region,** urbanicity,†† staffing capacity, change in visit volume, and personal protective equipment (PPE) supply. Among the 1,009 health center respondents, 963 (95.4%) reported providing telehealth services. Health centers in urban areas were more likely to provide >30% of health care visits virtually (i.e., via telehealth) than were health centers in rural areas. Telehealth is a promising approach to promoting access to care and can facilitate public health mitigation strategies and help prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory illnesses, while supporting continuity of care. Although CMS's change of its telehealth provisions enabled health centers to expand telehealth by aligning guidance and leveraging federal resources, sustaining expanded use of telehealth services might require additional policies and resources.

Health Center Testing for SARS-CoV-2 During the COVID-19 Pandemic - United States, June 5-October 2, 2020.

Long-standing social inequities and health disparities have resulted in increased risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, severe illness, and death among racial and ethnic minority populations. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Health Center Program supports nearly 1,400 health centers that provide comprehensive primary health care* to approximately 30 million patients in 13,000 service sites across the United States.† In 2019, 63% of HRSA health center patients who reported race and ethnicity identified as members of racial ethnic minority populations (1). Historically underserved communities and populations served by health centers have a need for access to important information and resources for preventing exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to testing for those at risk, and to follow-up services for those with positive test results.§ During the COVID-19 public health emergency, health centers¶ have provided and continue to provide testing and follow-up care to medically underserved populations**; these centers are capable of reaching areas disproportionately affected by the pandemic.†† HRSA administers a weekly, voluntary Health Center COVID-19 Survey§§ to track health center COVID-19 testing capacity and the impact of COVID-19 on operations, patients, and personnel. Potential respondents can include up to 1,382 HRSA-funded health centers.¶¶ To assess health centers' capacity to reach racial and ethnic minority groups at increased risk for COVID-19 and to provide access to testing, CDC and HRSA analyzed survey data for the weeks June 5-October 2, 2020*** to describe all patients tested (3,194,838) and those who received positive SARS-CoV-2 test results (308,780) by race/ethnicity and state of residence. Among persons with known race/ethnicity who received testing (2,506,935), 36% were Hispanic/Latino (Hispanic), 38% were non-Hispanic White (White), and 20% were non-Hispanic Black (Black); among those with known race/ethnicity with positive test results, 56% were Hispanic, 24% were White, and 15% were Black. Improving health centers' ability to reach groups at increased risk for COVID-19 might reduce transmission by identifying cases and supporting contact tracing and isolation. Efforts to improve coordination of COVID-19 response-related activities between state and local public health departments and HRSA-funded health centers can increase access to testing and follow-up care for populations at increased risk for COVID-19.

HIV Testing and Linkage to Care Among Transgender Women Who Have Sex with Men: 23 U.S. Cities.

Transgender women face unique barriers to HIV testing and linkage to care. This article describes the results of a national testing initiative conducted by 36 community-based and other organizations using a variety of recruitment and linkage-to-care strategies. A total of 2191 HIV tests were conducted with an estimated 1877 unique transgender women, and 4.6% of the transgender women had confirmed positive results. Two thirds (66.3%) were linked to care within approximately three months of follow-up, and the median time to linkage was 7 days. Transgender women tested at clinical sites were linked to care faster than those tested at non-clinical sites (median: 0 vs. 12 days; P = .003). Despite the use of a variety of linkage-to-care strategies, the proportion of transgender women successfully linked to care was below national goals. Tailored programs and interventions are needed to increase HIV testing and improve timely linkage to care in this population.

Prospective Evaluation of HIV Testing Technologies in a Clinical Setting: Protocol for Project DETECT.

BACKGROUND: HIV testing guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are continually changing to reflect advancements in new testing technology. Evaluation of existing and new point-of-care (POC) HIV tests is crucial to inform testing guidelines and provide information to clinicians and other HIV test providers. Characterizing the performance of POC HIV tests using unprocessed specimens can provide estimates for the window period of detection, or the time from HIV acquisition to test positivity, which allows clinicians and other HIV providers to select the appropriate POC HIV tests for persons who may be recently infected with HIV. OBJECTIVE: This paper describes the protocols and procedures used to evaluate the performance of the newest POC tests and determine their sensitivity during early HIV infection. METHODS: Project DETECT is a CDC-funded study that is evaluating POC HIV test performance. Part 1 is a cross-sectional, retrospective study comparing behavioral characteristics and HIV prevalence of the overall population of the Public Health-Seattle & King County (PHSKC) Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Clinic to Project DETECT participants enrolled in part 2. Part 2 is a cross-sectional, prospective study evaluating POC HIV tests in real time using unprocessed whole blood and oral fluid specimens. A POC nucleic acid test (NAT) was added to the panel of HIV tests in June 2018. Part 3 is a longitudinal, prospective study evaluating seroconversion sensitivity of POC HIV tests through serial follow-up testing. For comparison, HIV-1 RNA and HIV-1/HIV-2 antigen/antibody tests are also performed for participants enrolled in part 2 or 3. A behavioral survey that collects information about demographics, history of HIV testing, STD history, symptoms of acute HIV infection, substance use, sexual behaviors in the aggregate and with recent partners, and use of pre-exposure prophylaxis and antiretroviral therapy is completed at each part 2 or 3 visit. RESULTS: Between September 2015 and March 2019, there were 14,990 Project DETECT-eligible visits (part 1) to the PHSKC STD Clinic resulting in 1819 part 2 Project DETECT study visits. The longitudinal study within Project DETECT (part 3) enrolled 27 participants with discordant POC test results from their part 2 visit, and 10 (37%) were followed until they had fully seroconverted with concordant positive POC test results. Behavioral survey data and HIV test results, sensitivity, and specificity will be presented elsewhere. CONCLUSIONS: Studies such as Project DETECT are critical for evaluating POC HIV test devices as well as describing characteristics of persons at risk for HIV acquisition in the United States. HIV tests in development, including POC NATs, will provide new opportunities for HIV testing programs. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR1-10.2196/16332.

Group Sex Events Among Cisgender Men Who Have Sex With Men: Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Survey Study to Explore Participation and Risk-Taking Behaviors.

BACKGROUND: Group sex events (GSEs) are common among cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM), pose a unique risk profile for HIV and sexually transmitted disease (STD) transmission, and may be on the rise, in part because of Web-based networking platforms. However, collecting data on GSEs can be challenging, and many gaps exist in our knowledge about GSE participation among MSM. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to develop survey questions addressing aggregate and partner-specific group sex behaviors to measure prevalence of GSEs and associated risks in persons participating in Project Diagnostic Evaluation To Expand Critical Testing Technologies (DETECT), including MSM seeking HIV and STD testing at a public clinic in Seattle, Washington. METHODS: We developed a computer self-assisted survey that included questions about participant demographics, sexual history, and risk behaviors, including group sex, as a part of Project DETECT, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded study evaluating point-of-care HIV tests. Aggregate and partner-specific questions asked about participation in all GSEs, threesomes, and four-or-more-somes including questions about number and HIV status of sex partners and condom use during the events. To evaluate question performance, we assessed the discrepancies in reporting between the aggregate and partner-specific questions, quantified question refusal rates, and calculated the additional time required to answer the GSE questions. Information about network density (number of partnerships of overlapping duration) was estimated and compared for MSM who did and did not report GSEs. RESULTS: Among 841 visits by 690 MSM who were asked any group sex survey question, participation in a GSE of any type in the past 3 months was reported at 293 visits (293/841, 34.8%). We found that 9.0% (76/841) of MSM in the sample reported ≥1 four-or-more-some in the partner-specific questions but did not report in the aggregate. The proportion of refusals on any given aggregate GSE-related question ranged from 0% (0/273) to 10.6% (15/141) (median 2.6%) and partner-specific questions ranged from 0% (0/143) to 22% (5/23) (median 3.0%), with questions about four-or-more-somes having the highest proportions of refusals. Completing the aggregate group sex questions added 1 to 2 minutes and the partner-specific questions added an additional 2 to 4 minutes per partner to the total survey length. As expected, the partner-specific GSE questions documented higher density of sexual networks that was not captured by asking about total partner counts and overlap of specific partnerships. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the Project DETECT survey was able to obtain nuanced information about GSEs. The question skip patterns and consistency checks were effective, and survey fatigue was minimal. More research is needed on GSEs, and our survey represents a promising data collection tool to help fill gaps in knowledge about the subject.

Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) Who Have Not Previously Tested for HIV: Results from the MSM Testing Initiative, United States (2012-2015).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual HIV tests for men who have sex with men (MSM), yet some have never tested. We analyzed data from the MSM Testing Initiative. Of 68,185 HIV tests, 8% were with MSM who never previously tested ("first-time testers"). Among tests with first-time testers, 70.7% were with MSM from racial or ethnic minorities; 66.5% were with MSM younger than 30 years. Tests with MSM who reported female partners only during the past year (compared to male partners only) or were recruited for at-home testing (compared to venue-based recruitment) were 4 times (prevalence ratio [PR] 3.62, 95% CI 3.15-4.15) and 5 times as likely (PR 4.69, 95% CI 4.22-5.21) to be associated with first-time testing. At-home testing and focusing on MSM who have sex with women may be effective methods for reaching MSM who are first-time testers.

HIV Testing Among Transgender Women and Men - 27 States and Guam, 2014-2015.

Transgender persons are at high risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; in a recent analysis of the results of over nine million CDC funded HIV tests, transgender women* had the highest percentage of confirmed positive results (2.7%) of any gender category (1). Transgender men,† particularly those who have sex with cisgender§ men, are also at high risk for infection (2). HIV testing is critical for detecting and treating persons who are infected and delivering preventive services to those who are uninfected. CDC recommends that persons at high risk for HIV infection be screened for HIV at least annually, although transgender persons are not specified in the current recommendations. CDC analyzed data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to describe HIV testing among transgender women and men and two cisgender comparison groups in 27 states and Guam. After adjusting for demographic characteristics, transgender women and men had a lower prevalence of ever testing and past year testing for HIV (35.6% and 31.6% ever, and 10.0% and 10.2% past year, respectively) compared with cisgender gay and bisexual men (61.8% ever and 21.6% past year) and instead reported testing at levels comparable to cisgender heterosexual men and women (35.2% ever, and 8.6% past year). This finding suggests that transgender women and men might not be sufficiently reached by current HIV testing measures. Tailoring HIV testing activities to overcome the unique barriers faced by transgender women and men might increase rates of testing among these populations.

Diagnosed HIV Infection in Transgender Adults and Adolescents: Results from the National HIV Surveillance System, 2009-2014.

Publications on diagnosed HIV infection among transgender people have been limited to state- or local-level data. We analyzed data from the National HIV Surveillance System and present results from the first national-level analysis of transgender people with diagnosed HIV infection. From 2009 to 2014, HIV surveillance jurisdictions from 45 states plus the District of Columbia identified and reported at least one case of newly diagnosed HIV infection for transgender people; jurisdictions from 5 states reported no cases for transgender people. Of 2351 transgender people with newly diagnosed HIV infection during 2009-2014, 84.0% were transgender women (male-to-female), 15.4% were transgender men (female-to-male), and 0.7% were additional gender identity (e.g., gender queer, bi-gender). Over half of both transgender women (50.8%; 1002/1974) and men (58.4%; 211/361) with newly diagnosed HIV infection were non-Hispanic black/African American. Improvements in data collection methods and quality are needed to gain a better understanding of HIV burden among transgender people.

HIV-Related Mortality Among Adults (≥ 18 years) of Various Hispanic or Latino Subgroups--United States, 2006-2010.

Hispanics or Latinos residing in the USA are disproportionately affected by HIV when compared to whites. Health outcomes for Hispanics or Latinos diagnosed with HIV infection may vary by Hispanic or Latino subgroup. We analyzed national mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics for the years 2006 to 2010 to examine differences in HIV-related mortality among Hispanics or Latinos by sociodemographic factors and by Hispanic or Latino subgroup. After adjusting for age, HIV-related death rates per 100,000 population were highest among Hispanics or Latinos who were male (45.6, 95 % confidence interval [CI], 44.4 to 46.9) compared to female (12.0, 95 % CI 11.4 to 12.6), or resided in the Northeast (75.1, 95 % CI 72.2 to 77.9) compared to other US regions at the time of death. The age-adjusted HIV-related death rate was highest among Puerto Ricans (100.9, 95 % CI 97.0 to 104.8) and lowest among Mexicans (16.9, 95 % CI 16.2 to 17.6). Among all deaths, the proportion of HIV-related deaths was more than four times as high among Puerto Ricans (adjusted prevalence ratio = 4.3, 95 % CI 4.1 to 4.5) compared to Mexicans. To ensure better health outcomes for Hispanics or Latinos living with HIV in the USA, medical care and treatment programs should be adapted to address the needs of various Hispanic or Latino subgroups.

Implementation of rapid HIV testing programs in community and outreach settings: perspectives from staff at eight community-based organizations in seven U.S. cities.

OBJECTIVES: The goals of this research were to evaluate perceptions of staff about the effectiveness of methods used by eight community-based organizations (CBOs) to implement human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) counseling and rapid testing in community and outreach settings in seven U.S. cities, and to identify operational challenges. METHODS: A survey was administered to CBO staff to determine their perceptions about the effectiveness of methods used to select testing venues, promote their testing programs, recruit people for testing, provide test results, and link HIV-positive people to health care. Using a Likert scale, respondents rated the effectiveness of methods, their agreement with statements about using mobile testing units (MTUs) and rapid HIV test kits, and operational challenges. RESULTS: Most respondents perceived the methods they used for selecting testing venues, and particularly using recommendations from people receiving testing, to be effective. Most respondents also thought their promotional activities were effective. Respondents believed that using MTUs improved their capacity to reach high-risk individuals, but that MTUs were associated with substantial challenges (e.g., costs to purchase and maintain them). Programmatic challenges included training staff to provide counseling and testing, locating and providing confirmatory test results to people with reactive rapid tests, and sustaining testing programs. CONCLUSIONS: CBO staff thought the methods used to select venues for HIV testing were effective and that using MTUs increased their ability to provide testing to high-risk individuals. However, using MTUs was expensive and posed logistical difficulties. CBOs planning to implement similar programs should take these findings into consideration and pay particular attention to training needs and program sustainability.

Cost-effectiveness of finding new HIV diagnoses using rapid HIV testing in community-based organizations.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the cost-effectiveness of determining new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnoses using rapid HIV testing performed by community-based organizations (CBOs) in Kansas City, Missouri, and Detroit, Michigan. METHODS: The CBOs performed rapid HIV testing during April 2004 through March 2006. In Kansas City, testing was performed in a clinic and in outreach settings. In Detroit, testing was performed in outreach settings only. Both CBOs used mobile testing vans. Measures of effectiveness were the number of HIV tests performed and the number of people notified of new HIV diagnoses, based on rapid tests. We retrospectively collected program costs, including those for personnel, test kits, mobile vans, and facility space. RESULTS: The CBO in Kansas City tested a mean of 855 people a year in its clinic and 703 people a year in outreach settings. The number of people notified of new HIV diagnoses was 19 (2.2%) in the clinic and five (0.7%) in outreach settings. The CBO in Detroit tested 976 people a year in outreach settings, and the number notified of new HIV diagnoses was 15 (1.5%). In Kansas City, the cost per person notified of a new HIV diagnosis was $3,637 in the clinic and $16,985 in outreach settings. In the Detroit outreach settings, the cost per notification was $13,448. CONCLUSIONS: The cost of providing a new HIV diagnosis was considerably higher in the outreach settings than in the clinic. The variation can be largely explained by differences in the number of undiagnosed infections among the people tested and by the costs of purchasing and operating a mobile van.

Implementing rapid HIV testing in outreach and community settings: results from an advancing HIV prevention demonstration project conducted in seven U.S. cities.

OBJECTIVES: The goals of this project were to assess the feasibility of conducting rapid human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing in outreach and community settings to increase knowledge of HIV serostatus among groups disproportionately affected by HIV and to identify effective nonclinical venues for recruiting people in the targeted populations. METHODS: Community-based organizations (CBOs) in seven U.S. cities conducted rapid HIV testing in outreach and community settings, including public parks, homeless shelters, and bars. People with reactive preliminary positive test results received confirmatory testing, and people confirmed to be HIV-positive were referred to health-care and prevention services. RESULTS: A total of 23,900 people received rapid HIV testing. Of the 267 people (1.1%) with newly diagnosed HIV infection, 75% received their confirmatory test results and 64% were referred to care. Seventy-six percent were from racial/ethnic minority groups, and 58% identified themselves as men who have sex with men, 72% of whom reported having multiple sex partners in the past year. Venues with the highest proportion of new HIV diagnoses were bathhouses, social service organizations, and needle-exchange programs. The acceptance rate for testing was 60% among sites collecting this information. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this demonstration project indicate that offering rapid HIV testing in outreach and community settings is a feasible approach for reaching members of minority groups and people at high risk for HIV infection. The project identified venues that would be important to target and offered lessons that could be used by other CBOs to design and implement similar programs in the future.

Changes in HIV and AIDS in the United States: Entering the Third Decade.

The epidemiology of the HIV transmission in the United States has changed considerably since the epidemic began. Our increased understanding of the virus has fostered development of new treatments to prolong life, and vaccine research has increased hope for those at risk in both developed and less developed countries. In this review, we provide information about current trends in HIV and AIDS among those in the United States most affected by the epidemic.