Increasing access to HIV testing via a public health mobile van

ISSUES: Approximately 20% of persons living with HIV in the U.S. are undiagnosed. African Americans are less likely to be diagnosed, with undiagnosed infection rates nine times higher than whites. Persons unaware of their status contribute disproportionately to the number of new infections. HIV testing is a cost-effective prevention strategy to reduce HIV infection, particularly among high-risk populations. Persons who know their status are more likely to engage in risk protective behaviors, get linked to medical care, and achieve better health outcomes. DESCRIPTION: Mobile HIV testing is a creative outreach strategy used to access high-risk populations not utilizing traditional health services. To expand free HIV counseling and testing services and identify new cases of HIV in the community, a University and local health department joined forces to fund and implement a public health mobile van. LESSONS LEARNED: The van increased access to HIV testing and identified a significant portion of new positives among African Americans. Between 2005 and 2007 the van accounted for 27% of all HIV tests conducted by public test sites and identified 27% of all HIV-positive persons. In 2007 alone, the van administered 41% of HIV tests and uncovered 48% of all HIV-positive persons. Ninety-four percent of positives identified on the van were African American. RECOMMENDATIONS: Access to HIV testing is critical to curb infection rates, especially among African Americans. The public health mobile van will continue to monitor local risk trends to ensure it is reaching those communities at highest risk for infection.