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World AIDS Day

Photo: A man and woman cunsulting with their doctor.December 1 is World AIDS Day; an important reminder that the fight against HIV is far from over. World AIDS Day inspires us all to do more—as individuals, communities, and a nation. Health care providers in particular, can play a critical role in stopping the spread of HIV.

 

HIV in the United States: Still a Deadly but Preventable Disease

Photo: A red ribbon over a piture of Earth.Every nine-and-a-half minutes, another person in the United States becomes infected with HIV; this means 56,300 new infections each year. More than 14,000 people with AIDS still die each year in the United States.

1 in 5 of the more than one million people in this country living with HIV is unaware of their infection. Many may be unknowingly transmitting HIV to others.

The impact in the United States is most severe among gay and bisexual men, African Americans, and Hispanics/Latinos:

  • Men who have sex with men (MSM) account for more than half of new HIV infections and nearly half of people living with HIV.
  • African Americans are 12% of U.S. population but make up nearly half of both new HIV infections and people living with HIV. The rate of new HIV infections for black men is 6 times that of white men; for black women, it is 15 times that of white women.
  • Hispanics/Latinos are 13% of the U.S. population, but make up 17% of new HIV infections and 18% of people living with HIV. The rate of new HIV infections for Hispanic/Latino men is more than twice that of white men and the rate for Hispanic/Latina women is 4 times that of white women.

Health Care Providers and Public Health Working Together to Prevent HIV Infections

Photo: Healthcare providersState and local health departments, national organizations, community-based organizations, and health care providers all play critical roles in stopping the spread of HIV. This year on World AIDS Day, CDC is focusing on the intersection between public health and clinical practice.

Providers play a crucial role in HIV testing because the vast majority of HIV testing is conducted in medical settings. CDC recommends that all Americans aged 13-64 years be tested for HIV at least once, regardless of perceived risk for infection. This positions providers at the frontline of implementing this recommendation.

We know that patients listen to their providers, so it is important that physicians and all health care providers speak openly and honestly with patients about HIV. Providers need to talk to all patients (whether positive or negative) about HIV, reducing risk behaviors, and staying healthy. Providers can refer their patients to community prevention programs as needed.

Providers also play a critical role in prevention for their HIV-positive patients. For HIV-positive patients, providers can encourage safe behaviors and provide referrals to care. HIV-positive individuals who receive prevention services by a provider have shown significant reduction over time in unprotected sex practices.

What You Can Do

If you are a health care provider, you can

  • Become familiar with the latest recommendations and guidelines. CDC offers many recommendations and guidelines on HIV counseling and testing, treatment, and many other issues. Visit the CDC recommendations and guidelines page.
  • Learn about CDC's Act Against AIDS Campaign. CDC's Act Against AIDS (AAA)External Web Site Policy campaign seeks to put HIV/AIDS back on the radar screen of all Americans, including health care providers. Campaign phases targeting health care providers include:
    • Prevention IS Care - Help protect the health of those living with HIV and prevent HIV transmission through physician and patient dialogue on healthy behaviors at each visit.
    • One Test. Two Lives. - Focuses on ensuring that all women are tested for HIV early in their pregnancy.
    • HIV Screening. Standard Care. – Launching in 2010, the goal of this phase is to make HIV screening part of standard of care in the primary care office, in the gynecologist's office, or the emergency/acute care setting.
  • Know what prevention services are offered in your area. Health departments and community-based organizations offer many programs that can benefit your patients.

Photo: A group of men and womenEveryone can

  • Get the facts. Know if you are at risk, how HIV is spread, and take action to protect yourself.
    • Abstinence, followed by mutual monogamy with an uninfected partner, is the most effective way to protect yourself.
    • For sexually active individuals, correct and consistent condom use can significantly decrease risk.
    • If you inject drugs, don't share needles.
    • Discuss these issues with a health care provider or other public health professional.
  • Get tested. Testing is an essential first step in protecting yourself and others from HIV infection.
    • You can get tested at your provider's office – ask your provider about getting tested.
    • For additional testing sites, call 800-CDC-INFO or visit www.hivtest.orgExternal Web Site Policy
    • If you are HIV-positive, you can then take steps to protect your partners, and receive life-extending treatment.
  • Speak out. Talk about HIV with family and friends to reduce the stigma and homophobia that prevent too many from seeking HIV testing, prevention, treatment, and support.
  • Get involved in your communities to help prevent HIV or help those in need of services find them.

More Information

For CDC Info, Text 'Health' to 87000. www.flu.gov

USA.gov: The U.S. Government's Official Web PortalDepartment of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
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