(BW) Home Access HIV Test Available At Reduced Rate To Nonprofit Organizations; Anonymous HIV Test Option To Boost Public Health Efforts In Reaching People At Increased Risk For HIV

(BW) Home Access HIV Test Available At Reduced Rate To Nonprofit Organizations; Anonymous HIV Test Option To Boost Public Health Efforts In Reaching People At Increased Risk For HIV

BUSINESS WIRE - 44 Montgomery St, 39th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104; Tel: (415) 986-4422; FAX: (415) 788-5335 - Monday, 30 September 1996

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.--(HealthWire)--Sept. 30, 1996--In support of National AIDS Awareness Month, Home Access Health Corporation announced today that beginning October 1, nonprofit organizations will be able to purchase the company's Home Access(TM) HIV-1 Test System at reduced cost to help make anonymous HIV testing and counseling more available to people at increased risk for HIV infection.

"Early detection coupled with medical treatment can help prolong and even save lives," said Dr. Allan Frank, medical director for Home Access Health Corporation. "By making this available directly to local organizations on the front-lines who know where and how to reach people at risk, we hope to support outreach efforts and help people benefit by early diagnosis."

In the United States it is estimated that up to 1 million people infected with HIV remain unaware of their infection. Promising research shows that using combination therapy can help people live longer and have fewer AIDS-defining events when given in early-stage disease. Tragically, too many people infected with HIV who remain undiagnosed end up receiving medical treatment during the end-stage of the disease where physical suffering and financial burden is the most severe.

"The CDC has historically stressed the importance of primary and secondary prevention to reduce the rate of HIV infection," noted Sara Speer Selber, executive director of AIDS Foundation Houston, Inc. "It's important for people to know whether or not they are infected with HIV. Consumer-controlled testing is a convenient alternative to traditional clinic and physician based HIV antibody testing, and has the potential to reach more people at risk."

A 1995 study in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine indicated that 30 percent of individuals with high risk factors for contracting HIV would get tested, "if no one other than (them) could find out the results." In another study published in Public Health Reports, 37 percent of people tested for HIV at publicly funded clinics did not return for their test result due to fear of discrimination and breach of confidentiality.

The Home Access(TM) HIV Test System is available for purchase at reduced cost to organizations that are registered as a tax exempt, nonprofit 501 (c) (3) that currently conduct HIV/AIDS prevention, education, and/or testing. Eligible organizations must purchase at least one case, which contains 24 test kits. Please contact Sheryl Kravitz directly at 847/310-6030 to place an order and receive an application.

Recently cleared by the FDA in July, Home Access HIV-1 testing allows people to anonymously collect a blood spot sample, access professional counseling 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and retrieve a test result in 3 or 7 business days, depending on the type of collection kit purchased.

The retail prices for Home Access Express(TM) (offers results in 3 business days) and Home Access(TM) (offers results in 7 days) are $49.95 and $39.95 respectively. Both products are offered in both English and Spanish with bilingual written instructions and 24-hour availability of Spanish-speaking counselors. Home Access Express(TM) can be purchased by calling 1-800-HIV-TEST.

Home Access Health Corporation is a privately held company dedicated to breaking the barriers in healthcare access by bringing people and technology together through telemedicine.

CONTACT: Home Access Health Corporation, Hoffman Estates Kevin Johnson, 847/781-2504, kj@homeaccess.com

Keywords: HIV

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Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1996. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

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