PR Newswire; Monday June 22, 11:19 am EST

"Nearly one million Americans are believed to be infected with HIV, yet one third are unaware of their disease until they become ill," said Helene Gayle, MD, MPH, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention. "HIV testing is a significant step toward preventing the further spread of this disease and in empowering people to lead healthier lives."

Now in its fourth year, National HIV Testing Day brings together nearly 10,000 AIDS service organizations, clinics and physicians from around the country to offer HIV testing, counseling and prevention programs to those most at risk. "National HIV Testing Day is about awareness and action -- take the test, take control," said A. Cornelius Baker, executive director of NAPWA. "Although recent reports show that AIDS deaths have decreased among some groups, HIV infection continues to spread among populations at high risk, including African Americans, Latinos, and women, as well as our nation's young people."

AIDS cases have also increased in older people. From 1991 to 1996, the proportionate increase in cases of AIDS-related opportunistic illnesses was greater among persons aged 50 and older (it increased by 22%, from 5,260 cases to 6,400 cases) than among persons aged 13-49 years (9%, from 46,000 cases to 50,300 cases). However, because there is frequently a long incubation period between HIV infection and AIDS diagnosis, many of those who were diagnosed with AIDS at or over age 50 were probably infected as younger adults. The number of AIDS cases among U.S. adolescents have increased from one case in 1981 to 2,953 in June, 1997. AIDS is the sixth leading cause of death among 15-to-24-year-olds in the U.S. Additionally, AIDS is the third leading cause of death among women aged 25-44 and the leading cause of death among African American women in the U.S.

"Recent advances in the treatment of HIV/AIDS can potentially slow the progression of the disease. This makes it even more important for a person to learn his or her HIV status and to seek treatment as early as possible," said Joseph O'Neill, MD, director of the Bureau of HIV/AIDS of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). "Along with these treatment advances, HIV testing options have expanded and are more accessible."

Testing options include traditional blood tests, the new rapid blood test, and non-invasive tests, such as the oral test and the recently FDA-approved urine test. Anonymous and/or confidential HIV testing is offered at many sites throughout the country at no cost. For information about HIV testing sites in your local area, call the National AIDS Hotline at 1-800-342-AIDS.

In addition to HRSA and CDC, NAPWA has formed a partnership with several organizations in promoting awareness of National HIV Testing Day and in encouraging testing events throughout the United States. These organizations include the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD), the National Lesbian and Gay Health Association, and Whitman-Walker Clinic in Washington, DC. NAPWA's "Life Awards" ceremony, held in recognition of National HIV Testing Day, honored Black Entertainment Television and the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.

The National Association of People With AIDS is a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC, whose mission is dedicated to facilitating a richer quality of life for HIV-infected individuals and to preventing the spread of HIV. NAPWA supports all communities affected by the AIDS epidemic with information services and educational resources, national advocacy and technical assistance for community-based organizations.

SOURCE: National Association of People With AIDS

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Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1998. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

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