JAMA Publishes Article About CDC's HIV Testing Recommendations

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Article Date: 29 Aug 2008 - 12:00 PDT

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"Opt-Out Testing for Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the United States," Journal of the American Medical Association: The study examines CDC's 2006 recommendations for HIV testing in the U.S. that call for routine testing with an "opt-out" strategy. According to the study, the recommendations have affected state laws with some states mandating signed consent and counseling, while other states have changed legislation to reduce barriers to testing. In addition, 35 national professional groups have endorsed the recommendations, and "multiple demonstration projects have shown feasibility." Although metrics to evaluate the health outcomes of CDC's recommendations for HIV testing have been defined, the "data necessary to determine the effect on early entry into care, the actual reduction in disease incidence and the unanticipated consequences are not yet available," the study says (Bartlett et al., JAMA, 8/27).

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