The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published data in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) that assesses the status of HIV testing from 2016-2017 nationwide. Findings from this report show concerning HIV testing rates in both the general and high-risk populations.
According to the MMWR, less than 40% of the US adult population has ever been tested for HIV, with an even lower testing rate of approximately 30% in the high-risk population. HIV screening is a critical checkpoint, as early diagnosis and subsequent treatment not only reduces morbidity and mortality but also reduce the risk of transmission.
New screening strategies and community outreach will likely be implemented to successfully reach segments of the population that have never been tested for HIV. The MMWR specifically mentions new approaches such as integrated screening in a variety of settings and scaling up partner notification. If these new screening initiatives are successful, GlobalData epidemiologists believe that the incidence and prevalence of HIV may increase over the next decade, surpassing current forecast estimates for 2025 (Figure 1).
To achieve the nation’s goal of ending the HIV epidemic and to measure progress, continued analysis of testing behaviour is necessary, as well as increased outreach and linkage to care in underserved and high-risk populations who are significantly affected by lack of access to education and healthcare.
Figure 1: US, diagnosed incidence and diagnosed prevalence (cases per 100,000 population), 2015 and 2025, both sexes, ages ≥18 years
GlobalData (2016). Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): Epidemiology Forecast to 2025, December 2016, GDHCER130-16
GlobalData (2017). PharmaPoint: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) – Global Drug Forecast and Market Analysis to 2025, April 2017, GDHC135PIDR