CDC: HIV Testing Among Adults Increasing

However, nearly one-third of HIV diagnoses still occur during late stages of disease

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 1 (HealthDay News) -- The number of adults ever tested for HIV is increasing, though nearly one-third of diagnoses still occur during late stages of disease, according to a report published in the Nov. 30 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Using 2001 to 2009 data from the National Health Interview Survey, the report outlines percentages of adults, aged 18 to 64 years, who reported ever being tested for HIV in the United States. In addition, the investigators used data from the National HIV Surveillance System to estimate numbers, percentages, and rates of HIV diagnoses, AIDS diagnoses, and late diagnoses of HIV infection for adults diagnosed with HIV infection between 2001 and 2008 and reported to the CDC through June 2009.

Between 2001 and 2006, the percentage of adults ever tested for HIV was stable at approximately 40 percent, increasing to 45 percent in 2009. During 2001 to 2004, the percentage of persons with late diagnoses of HIV infection was stable at approximately 37 percent, decreasing to 32.3 percent by 2007. In terms of race/ethnicity, most HIV diagnoses were among blacks or African-Americans (51.2 percent) in 2008. In terms of transmission category, most HIV diagnoses were among non-drug injecting men reporting male-to-male sexual contact (55 percent). AIDS diagnosis rates were highest in the South and Northeast and in the most populated states.

"The number of persons in the United States who report ever being tested for HIV is increasing, and fewer persons are being diagnosed late in their infection," the authors write. "However, nearly one-third of diagnoses still occur late. Increased testing efforts are needed, particularly among populations that account for most HIV diagnoses."

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