Large HIV Testing Day Logo

NACCHO Highlights Key Role of Local Health Departments for National HIV Testing Day

Jun 26, 2020 | Theresa Spinner

Despite challenges posed by COVID-19, local health departments are adopting strategies to promote HIV testing and linkage to care.

— Despite challenges posed by COVID-19, local health departments are adopting strategies to promote HIV testing and linkage to care —

Washington, DC, June 26, 2020 —The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), in advance of National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) (June 27), highlights the important role that local health departments play to increase access and utilization of HIV testing, support their community members living with the virus, and work towards ending the HIV epidemic.

Local health departments are uniquely positioned to engage with community partners and healthcare providers to ensure that HIV testing is available and that testing efforts are reaching priority populations, including communities of color, gay and bisexual men, transgender men and women, youth, and people who inject drugs.

Local health departments traditionally provide HIV testing at clinics and through community outreach efforts. This year, however, COVID-19 has forced many local health departments to suspend or reduce HIV testing and prevention services, as clinics have closed and staff have been reassigned from HIV-related activities to support the COVID-19-response. While the COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted traditional HIV services, local health departments are implementing innovative solutions to maintain key testing and treatment options via self -testing. These include using telehealth services and the provisions of free or low-cost self-testing options via mail. You can learn more about these programs here.

An estimated 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV. One in seven—or nearly 162,000 people—are unaware of their status, despite CDC recommending HIV testing for every person between the ages of 13-64. This year’s NHTD theme is the power of “Knowing” — knowing your HIV status, as well as knowing the new ways to take an HIV test now that facility-based services and in-person contact are limited by the coronavirus pandemic.

As outlined in the federal government’s Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative, HIV testing is critical in diagnosing HIV, identifying acute infections, and referring to HIV treatment or prevention options such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a daily pill that is highly effective in preventing HIV acquisition. Ensuring that people know their HIV status is the first step in getting connected to HIV care and treatment for those who are HIV-positive. People with HIV who take medication as prescribed and maintain viral suppression are known to have improved health outcomes and reduce chance of transmission to others. To achieve the full benefits of HIV treatment and prevention options, HIV testing must be simple, accessible, and routine.

# # #

About NACCHO
The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) represents the nation’s nearly 3,000 local health departments. These city, county, metropolitan, district, and tribal departments work every day to protect and promote health and well-being for all people in their communities. For more information about NACCHO, please visit www.naccho.org


National association of county and city health officials naccho squarelogo

About Theresa Spinner

Theresa Spinner is the Director, Media and Public Relations at NACCHO.

More posts by Theresa Spinner

Related Posts

At home testing
  • COVID-19
  • Immunization
  • Infectious Disease

Free COVID Tests Available Again to Households

Beginning September 25, households will again be able to order four free tests...

Sep 21, 2023 | Beth Hess

Free COVID Tests Available Again to Households

  • HIV, STI, & Viral Hepatitis

Key Learnings and Recommendations from the American...

NACCHO has created a final report sharing key takeaways from this convening.

Sep 19, 2023

Key Learnings and Recommendations from the American...

I Stock 1202289642
  • Funding Opportunity
  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Request for Proposals: Strengthening Systems-Involved...

With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the...

Sep 19, 2023 | Hannah Loynds

Request for Proposals: Strengthening Systems-Involved...

NACCHO Releases New Funding Opportunity to Evaluate Smoking Supplies Distribution as a Harm Reduction Strategy 3

NACCHO Releases New Funding Opportunity to Evaluate...

In partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),...

Sep 18, 2023

NACCHO Releases New Funding Opportunity to Evaluate...

SAIL class Knoxville TN
  • Community Health
  • Healthy Aging

NACCHO Observes Falls Prevention Awareness Week and...

NACCHO recognize this year’s Falls Prevention Awareness Week, which will begin...

Sep 16, 2023 | Katherine Palm, Hannah Loynds, Bailey McInnes

NACCHO Observes Falls Prevention Awareness Week and...

  • Refugee, Immigrant, and Migrant Programs

NRC-RIM’s translated COVID-19 resources prove useful in...

Recent update from NRC-RIM.

Sep 15, 2023

NRC-RIM’s translated COVID-19 resources prove useful in...

  • HIV, STI, & Viral Hepatitis
  • HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis, and Harm Reduction Digest

Digest (September 13, 2023)

HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis, and Harm Reduction Digest: September 13, 2023

Sep 13, 2023

Digest (September 13, 2023)

40798c388bd7363decabbb93020739b0a3c651e6d611b0f4ce190b0be1c53c12
  • Refugee, Immigrant, and Migrant Programs

CDC Releases New TB Resources for Uniting for Ukraine...

CDC is pleased to announce the release of new tuberculosis (TB) resources to...

Sep 13, 2023

CDC Releases New TB Resources for Uniting for Ukraine...

I Stock 1281819457
  • Community Health
  • ID Featured
  • Infection, Prevention, and Control
  • Infectious Disease

Essential Skills Training Series: Virtual and In-Person...

We are pleased to announce the launch of our Essential Skills Training Series:...

Sep 12, 2023 | Irene Halferty

Essential Skills Training Series: Virtual and In-Person...

Back to Top