Lambda Legal's HIV Project Director Responds to Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing Issued Today By The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(New York, September 21, 2006) — Today, Lambda Legal’s HIV Project Director, Bebe J. Anderson, issued this statement in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) revised recommendations regarding HIV testing issued today:

“We at Lambda Legal believe that more people need to be tested for HIV so that those who have the virus can seek treatment earlier.

“Today, the CDC issued revised recommendations for HIV testing in healthcare settings. These recommendations suggest that health care practitioners reduce the counseling they provide patients before conducting an HIV test and stop seeking specific written, informed consent from patients.

“With these revised recommendations, CDC is shirking its responsibility to persons tested for HIV and missing an important opportunity to improve prevention and treatment of HIV infection. Pre-test counseling -- including information about risk behaviors and risk reduction -- is vital. Health care providers who follow these guidelines will miss an important opportunity to educate those tested about HIV infection and transmission risks. These guidelines discourage open and honest conversation about HIV. It is also vital that all persons specifically give their written consent to be tested for HIV, which better ensures that a person knows that they are being tested, particularly in emergency care settings.

“Given the ongoing stigma surrounding HIV and the discrimination that those living with HIV experience, patients who test positive for HIV need to be as prepared as possible for their diagnosis. When patients are tested without full knowledge and understanding, trust between the patient and health care provider is eroded. It is well established that the level of trust directly links to the outcome of the patient’s care.”

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Jackie Yodashkin 212-809-8585 ext.229