The New York City Department of Health aims to test every Bronx adult for HIV, just in time for National HIV Testing Day on Friday, June 27th. What they’re doing:For those willing, there will be free HIV testing at 40 locations in the Bronx. The goal is to make HIV testing routine and get every adult tested in the Bronx over the next three years.
PROS
- Easy access to HIV testing
- Getting tested will possibly prevent the future spread of HIV infections
- Decrease in hospitalizations and deaths due to AIDS-related illnesses, and in turn saving hospitalization costs
- Encouraging more people to have safe sex.
CAUTIONS
- The article mentions that the Bronx is stricken with most AIDS deaths in the city, so HIV has most likely been connoted with death in the eyes of many. There may be many who would rather be unaware than to know their status. Just how many people will actually consent to getting tested?
- Those who test positive may be stigmatized by the community around them.
- The article also mentions that the 20-minute counseling session would be reduced to 3 by an experienced doctor. Hopefully this doesn't mean that people who come in for a broken leg will be sent out not knowing what to do with an HIV diagnosis.
- Easy access to the test will not necessarily mean easy access to antiretrovirals for the HIV-positive
It makes me wonder if and how the NYC Department of Health will campaign for this project. Hopefully, a campaign will work on trying to address the stigma, the myths and misconceptions surrounding HIV/AIDS, and an increase in the number of resources for the newly diagnosed HIV-positive.
