Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PRNewswire - November 29, 2007
In September 2006, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released revised recommendations for HIV screening that called for voluntary opt-out screening to be included as part of routine medical care for all persons aged 13 to 64. Across the country people living with HIV are diagnosed too late in the course of their illness, and routine screening can lead to earlier diagnosis of HIV-infected individuals. Prompt diagnosis improves survival, allows people to know their status and helps those living with HIV begin proper care and treatment earlier in the course of the disease, when the treatment has a better chance of being effective.
California is one state leading the way in the battle against HIV. Recently the California State Legislature passed AB 682, a bill that will make HIV screening a part of routine medical care. This landmark action has made California one of the first states to take major steps towards routine screening for HIV.
The following experts are available for interviews to discuss topics regarding HIV/AIDS and efforts to improve prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of the disease in the United States:
Dr. Richard Frankenstein, President of the California Medical Association:
The California Medical Association is the nation's most influential state medical association. Dr. Frankenstein, 58, is a specialist in pulmonary medicine and has practiced in Garden Grove, California since 1980.
Dennis deLeon, President of the Latino Commission on AIDS and Living with AIDS:
In September 1994, Mr. deLeon was selected to become President of the Latino Commission on AIDS, a service and advocacy program addressing HIV/AIDS in the Latino community. In this capacity he heads a broad based community effort to respond to the needs of Latinos infected and affected with HIV. Under his leadership the Commission has developed a national clearinghouse for AIDS treatment information in Spanish, a network of religious leaders offering HIV prevention programs in Spanish-speaking congregations, technical services that address the needs of Latino community based organizations. He has also been instrumental in the Commission's efforts to form AIDS Leadership Committees to mobilize the gay Latino community, immigrants with HIV, women with HIV, New York State inmates with AIDS and several other groups in educating the Latino community on a range of AIDS issues.
Test for Life began in 2006 as an educational campaign of the National Minority Quality Forum, designed to raise awareness of the importance of routine HIV screening in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS. CDC's Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing are essential to improving early diagnosis of HIV and linking patients to early care and treatment of the disease. To learn more about Test for Life, please visit our Web site: http://www.testforlife.org/.
Source: Test for Life
CONTACT: Test for Life, +1-202-772-2186, media@testforlife.org
NOTE TO EDITORS: To schedule an interview, please contact media@testforlife.org or dial 202 772 2186. For more information, visit http://www.testforlife.org.
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Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2007. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
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