A new tack on HIV prevention efforts. (FYI).

In response to increasing HIV incidence in some communities and stabilizing rates of HIV-related morbidity and mortality, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced a new initiative aimed at preventing spread of the disease. (1) With an emphasis on reducing barriers to early diagnosis and expanding access to quality services, the initiative consists of four key strategies: The CDC will work with medical associations and health departments to promote the inclusion of HIV testing as part of routine medical care; fund and establish new projects offering HIV testing in nonclinical settings, including correctional facilities; develop materials and collaborate with other agencies to help infected individuals change their risk-related behavior or maintain changes they have already made; and promote efforts to reduce the incidence of mother-to-child HIV transmission. The initiative is intended to give "every HIV-infected person ... the opportunity to be tested and have access to state-of-the-art medical care and to the prevention services needed to prevent HIV transmission."

(1.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Advancing HIV Prevention: New Strategies for a Changing Epidemic-United States, 2003, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 2003, 52(15): 329-332.

FYI is compiled and written by Dore Hollander, executive editor of Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health.