Rates of HIV testing, diagnosis hold steady in US

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The rates of HIV testing and HIV/AIDS diagnosis in the US have not changed much in recent years—about 1 in 10 people are tested for infection and 20 people per 100,000 population are diagnosed with the disease each year, new research shows.

The one exception to this apparent stability has been an increase in HIV/AIDS diagnosis among men. The report’s authors believe this is largely due to an increase in cases among men who have sex with men (MSM), a finding that has been reported previously.

The results also show that African Americans continue to be disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the US.

These findings stem from two studies conducted by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. The findings, which will appear in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, were released early to coincide with World AIDS Day.

“The continued impact on MSM and the striking racial disparities among both men and women remind us of the continued challenges we face to combatting the (HIV/AIDS) epidemic here in the US,” Dr. Ronald O. Valdiserri, director of the CDC’s HIV/AIDS prevention program, said during a telephone briefing.

Based on the results of two national survey conducted in 2002, about 10 to 12 percent of persons between 18 and 64 years of age were tested for HIV infection, a rate that has held fairly stable for more than a decade.

Although the authors acknowledge that there is room for improvement, the findings indicate that testing rates were higher for groups in which such testing is advised, such as intravenous drug users and people with STDs. Among people with one or more HIV risk factor, the testing rates were between 22 and 27 percent.

In both surveys, HIV testing rates were much higher for pregnant women than other subjects. The results indicate that about half of pregnant women are tested for HIV infection.

Based on an analysis of data from 32 states, the overall rate of HIV/AIDS diagnosis has changed little in the last few years. However, as mentioned, a change in the rate was seen men. In contrast to the relatively stable rates seen in women, there was a 5 percent increase in HIV/AIDS diagnosis in men between 2000 and 2003.

As noted, the researchers believe it is primarily due to a rise in cases among MSM. During the 4-year study period, an 11 percent increase in annual diagnoses was seen among this group.

The findings also indicate that racial disparities in HIV/AIDS diagnosis persist. The bulk of cases—51 percent—involved African Americans, whereas Latinos accounted for 32 percent and whites for15 percent.

“A combination of prevention strategies is required to address the unique challenges in each population at risk for HIV,” Valdiserri said. “It is also critical to ensure that high-risk populations have access to HIV counseling and testing services,” because such services provide “an important gateway to both prevention services and ongoing treatment and care,” he added.

SOURCE: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, December 3, 2004.

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