Report

More than two hundred thousand people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States do not know they are infected–making them more likely than those who know they are infected to spread HIV to others. They also cannot benefit from available treatment, lowering their chances for survival. Expanded HIV testing may help diagnose those who do not know they are living with HIV.
 
The IOM’s Committee on HIV Screening and Access to Care held a workshop April 15-16, 2010, to explore the extent to which federal, state, and private health insurance policies prevent more widespread HIV testing. Based on the workshop presentations and a review of the literature, the committee identifies several barriers to HIV testing and encourages the development of more programs and policies that promote clinician education and training related to HIV testing and reducing HIV stigma and discrimination. This report summarizes the workshop and reviewed literature and contains the committee’s conclusions.