December 28, 2007

HIV Testing Doubles in New York City Hospitals

HIV testing in New York City’s public hospitals has more than doubled over the past two years, reports the city’s local newspaper The Queens Courier (queenscourier.com, 12/24).

In the 2005 fiscal year, the Courier reports, more than 62,023 patients were tested; during the 2007 fiscal year, the number rose to approximately 134,000, a 116 percent increase.

“We’ve dramatically increased our HIV/AIDS screening by offering HIV tests to patients in every emergency room and in many inpatient units and clinics,” said Alan D. Aviles, president of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation. “We’re now reaching more teens and young adults—the age group where half of all new HIV infections occur.”

Two years ago, HIV testing was made routine for patients aged 13 to 64 in city health facilities.

“By making testing available as a routine medical screening we can help overcome the stigma and barriers associated with the disease and reach more New Yorkers who may be [HIV] positive and not know it,” said Aviles.

Scroll down to comment on this story.

Previous Comments:

drtommy, maryland, 2007-12-28 19:49:05
"this test should NOT be used to determine the absence or presence of hiv infection" - from the hiv test kit label.