The US Centers for Disease Control has announced a major shift in its HIV prevention strategy with the launch of a new initiative, Advancing HIV Prevention: New Strategies for a Changing Epidemic.
The initiative consists of five key strategies, says the CDC:
Making HIV testing a routine part of medical care
Health care providers will be encouraged to make HIV testing as routine as testing for other chronic medical conditions such as hepatitis B or diabetes in settings where HIV prevalence is high, or where clinics serve populations at high risk of HIV infection (such as STD clinics).
Implement new models for diagnosing HIV infections outside medical settings
The CDC will fund new demonstration projects using a rapid, saliva-based HIV antibody test (OraQuick), and will move HIV testing into non-medical settings, as well as placing more emphasis on partner notification and testing.
Prevent new infections by working with persons diagnosed with HIV and their partners
In 2003, CDC, in collaboration with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the National Institutes of Health, and the HIV Medical Association of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, will publish Recommendations for Incorporating HIV Prevention into the Medical Care of Persons with HIV Infection.
The CDC will also fund demonstration projects using peer-led counseling to reach the partners of people diagnosed with HIV infection.
Routine perinatal HIV testing
CDC will promote recommendations for routine HIV testing of all pregnant women, and, as a safety net, for the routine screening of any infant whose mother was not screened.
National surveillance
Reporting of HIV infections to public health authorities is now required in 49 states. In 2002, CDC initiated a pilot system to monitor HIV incidence. To track the impact of the new initiative, beginning in 2003, CDC is expanding this surveillance system by implementing a national behavioral surveillance system.