Conference explores ramifications of new HIV guidelines

Questions surrounding treatment availability, reimbursement and counseling were raised at a summit about the CDC's screening recommendations.

By Susan J. Landers, AMNews staff. Jan. 15, 2007.

Washington -- Implementing new federal guidelines for HIV screening of most people across all health care settings will be a big job, but well worth the effort, concluded speakers at a recent meeting. But beware of certain hurdles along the way, many cautioned.

On the plus side, earlier identification of infected individuals could result in more rapid entrance into treatment and better outcomes.

Also, if more members of this group adopt safer sex practices, the result could be a decrease in the annual tally of 40,000 newly infected people. There hasn't been a dent made in that number for 16 years, said John G. Bartlett, MD, professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and co-chair of the HIV conference, billed as a summit meeting, held in Washington on Nov. 29-30, 2006.

Clinicians, researchers, government officials and behavioral scientists were invited to attend the conference, "Opportunities for Improving HIV Diagnosis, Prevention and Access to Care in the U.S.," to explore how best to implement recommendations, published in September 2006 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

These guidelines call for nearly everyone ages 13 to 64 to be offered an HIV test. The agency estimates that about 25% of the 1 million Americans with HIV are unaware that they harbor the virus.

Although conference speakers were supportive of the CDC's action, several advised that care must be taken to ensure that treatment is available and affordable and that counseling needs are not neglected.