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HIV Testing Activities

Content From: HIV.gov•Updated: June 20, 2018•4 min read

Topics

Supporting Widespread Testing and Timely Linkage to Care

An estimated 1.1 million people in the United States are living with HIV. About one in seven are unaware of their infection. As a result, they are not accessing the care and treatment they need to stay healthy and reduce the likelihood of transmitting the virus to their partners. The National HIV/AIDS Strategy prioritizes widespread HIV testing to reduce undiagnosed HIV infection in order to improve the health of people living with HIV and reduce new HIV infections. Many federal agencies are engaged in activities to provide more people with testing, increase repeat testing in high risk populations, and make sure that those diagnosed with the virus are linked to prompt, ongoing HIV care.

Knowledge of One’s HIV Status Is Empowering

Receiving the result of an HIV test can be an incredibly powerful event in a person’s life. For those whose test is positive, they can be connected to HIV medical care as soon as possible. Immediate linkage to care increases the likelihood of early initiation of HIV treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART), which helps people living with HIV stay healthy and protect their sex partners from HIV. For those whose test is negative, it provides an opportunity to assess current risks and re-evaluate the prevention methods being used to stay healthy.

Testing Helps Reduce the Spread of HIV

Undiagnosed infection remains an important factor fueling the HIV epidemic—about 40 percent of ongoing HIV transmissions can be attributed to people who did not know they had the virus, according to an analysis by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition, late HIV diagnosis is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher death rates. Testing is the only way to ensure that more people living with HIV are aware of their status. When people know they have HIV, research shows that they take steps to protect their own health and prevent transmission to others. The most important step they can take is to start and stay on HIV treatment to maintain a very low or undetectable viral load. People who get tested and learn they are HIV-negative can also make decisions about sex, drug use, and health care that can protect them from HIV. There are more prevention tools available today to prevent HIV than ever before.

Everyone Should be Tested at Least Once. Some People at Least Once a Year.

CDC recommends that all Americans aged 13 to 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care, and that people with certain risk factors get tested at least once a year. For example, people who have had more than one sex partner since their last HIV test; people with other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), hepatitis, or tuberculosis; gay and bisexual men; and people who have shared needles or works to inject drugs are considered likely to be at high risk and should get tested at least once a year. Health care providers can diagnose HIV sooner if they test more people and test people at high risk more often. Read more about who should get tested for HIV.

National Priority: Reduce Undiagnosed HIV Infection

The scientific evidence about the importance of HIV testing is recognized in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy: Updated to 2020, which calls for widespread testing and linkage to care, enabling people living with HIV to access care and treatment early in the course of their HIV infection. The Strategy monitors the impact of HIV testing using an indicator assessing the percentage of people living with HIV who know their serostatus. It established a target of 90 percent of people living with HIV knowing their status by 2020. Programs that receive federal funds for HIV testing are expected to link people who are diagnosed with HIV to medical care as soon as possible within the 30 days after diagnosis. Read about progress in meeting our nation’s targets and how knowledge of HIV status is on the rise.

Federal Efforts to Reduce Undiagnosed HIV Infection

Across the Federal government, agencies are working to make HIV testing more widely available to persons who have never been tested and those who are at increased risk for HIV infection. These efforts include campaigns to educate the public and healthcare providers about the importance of HIV testing and programs with state and local health departments and community-based organizations to improve the availability of HIV testing in communities with the greatest burden of undiagnosed infection. Research is being conducted on how to do this most efficiently and effectively, improve linkage to care, and develop and deploy testing technologies that can detect and confirm HIV test results even earlier after infection and be used anywhere by anyone.

Scroll down to read about the HIV testing activities of individual agencies and offices.

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TOPICS & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Topics

Federal Activities & AgenciesHIV Care and Treatment Activities

Federal Agencies' Testing Activities

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, works 24/7 to protect America from healthy, safety, and security threats. CDC provides leadership in helping control the HIV/AIDS epidemic by working with community, state, national, and international partners in surveillance, research, and prevention and evaluation activities, as well as working to improve treatment and support for people living with HIV.

Within CDC, the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP) leads its HIV/AIDS activities.

CDC’s HIV testing activities include:

Developing and recommending testing algorithms.
Issuing guidelines and recommendations for health care providers and public health departments about the screening and diagnosis of HIV infection and HIV-related diseases in the United States and dependent areas.
Providing educational resources and information to the American public about HIV testing.
Supporting public awareness campaigns promoting HIV testing among the hardest-hit populations, including the newest Act Against AIDS campaign, Doing It.
Monitoring, interpreting, and disseminating data related to HIV trends, including HIV testing and diagnosis.

Learn more about CDC’s HIV testing efforts.

View CDC’s activities in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Federal Action Plan.

Read posts related to CDC’s HIV/AIDS activities.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ensures effective, up-to-date health care coverage and promotes quality care for beneficiaries. CMS is the largest payer for the healthcare coverage of low-income people living with HIV in the United Sates.

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides free or low-cost health coverage to millions of Americans, including some low-income people, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. States manage the Medicaid program, and each state decides who is eligible and what the program covers. Some states have expanded their Medicaid programs to cover all people below certain income levels. Medicaid is currently the biggest source of insurance coverage for people living with HIV. While all traditional state Medicaid programs must cover “medically necessary” HIV testing, state coverage of “routine” HIV screening varies because it is an optional benefit under Medicaid. An analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that more than two thirds of state Medicaid programs do cover routine HIV screening. States that have opted to expand their Medicaid programs are required to cover preventive services rated “A” or “B” by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), including HIV testing, without cost-sharing.

Medicare is a health insurance program for people age 65 or older, people under age 65 with certain disabilities, and people of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease. It accounts for approximately one quarter of federal spending on HIV/AIDS care in the U.S. and is an important source of coverage for people living with HIV. All Medicare drug plans cover all HIV medications. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers HIV screenings.

CMS is also charged with helping implement many reforms of the Affordable Care Act, including provisions related to private health insurance. CMS administers HealthCare.gov and provides guidance and support to state-run health insurance marketplaces. Under the Affordable Care Act, most health plans—including plans available through the Health Insurance Marketplace—must cover a set of preventive services, including HIV screening, at no cost to the consumer.

View CMS’s HIV/AIDS resources.

Learn more about CMS’ role in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Federal Action Plan.

The mission of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is to provide the military forces needed to deter war and to protect the security of our country. Within the DoD, the Military Health System (MHS) weaves together health care delivery, medical education, public health, private sector partnerships, and cutting edge medical research and development. Its HIV testing activities include offering routine HIV screening and linkage to medical care for military personnel and eligible DoD beneficiaries; providing educational resources and information about HIV prevention, testing, and treatment; and issuing policies related to HIV screening and linkage to care for military service members.)

Learn more about the Military Health System.

View DoD's activities in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Federal Action Plan.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products, and medical devices. FDA is also responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.

While FDA doesn’t deliver or pay for HIV care, it plays a vital role in making HIV treatment possible. FDA responsibilities include playing a review and oversight role related to drugs, biologics, and medical devices for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of HIV/AIDS, and AIDS-related conditions. This includes assuring that diagnostic and screening tests for HIV are sensitive and specific for the detection and/or quantification of HIV in blood and other body fluids, and conducting regulatory research to establish product standards and develop improved testing methods to assess the safety of drugs and biologics. FDA regulates and approves tests that detect HIV infection, assuring that diagnostic and blood screening assays are sensitive and specific for the detection and/or quantification of HIV in blood and other body fluids. FDA also conducts regulatory research to establish product standards and improved testing methods.

Learn more about FDA’s role in HIV testing and diagnosis.

Learn more about FDA’s role in the oversight and review of HIV treatment/therapeutic products.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, works 24/7 to protect America from healthy, safety, and security threats. CDC provides leadership in helping control the HIV/AIDS epidemic by working with community, state, national, and international partners in surveillance, research, and prevention and evaluation activities, as well as working to improve treatment and support for people living with HIV.

Within CDC, the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP) leads its HIV/AIDS activities.

CDC’s HIV testing activities include:

Developing and recommending testing algorithms.
Issuing guidelines and recommendations for health care providers and public health departments about the screening and diagnosis of HIV infection and HIV-related diseases in the United States and dependent areas.
Providing educational resources and information to the American public about HIV testing.
Supporting public awareness campaigns promoting HIV testing among the hardest-hit populations, including the newest Act Against AIDS campaign, Doing It.
Monitoring, interpreting, and disseminating data related to HIV trends, including HIV testing and diagnosis.

Learn more about CDC’s HIV testing efforts.

View CDC’s activities in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Federal Action Plan.

Read posts related to CDC’s HIV/AIDS activities.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ensures effective, up-to-date health care coverage and promotes quality care for beneficiaries. CMS is the largest payer for the healthcare coverage of low-income people living with HIV in the United Sates.

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides free or low-cost health coverage to millions of Americans, including some low-income people, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. States manage the Medicaid program, and each state decides who is eligible and what the program covers. Some states have expanded their Medicaid programs to cover all people below certain income levels. Medicaid is currently the biggest source of insurance coverage for people living with HIV. While all traditional state Medicaid programs must cover “medically necessary” HIV testing, state coverage of “routine” HIV screening varies because it is an optional benefit under Medicaid. An analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that more than two thirds of state Medicaid programs do cover routine HIV screening. States that have opted to expand their Medicaid programs are required to cover preventive services rated “A” or “B” by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), including HIV testing, without cost-sharing.

Medicare is a health insurance program for people age 65 or older, people under age 65 with certain disabilities, and people of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease. It accounts for approximately one quarter of federal spending on HIV/AIDS care in the U.S. and is an important source of coverage for people living with HIV. All Medicare drug plans cover all HIV medications. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers HIV screenings.

CMS is also charged with helping implement many reforms of the Affordable Care Act, including provisions related to private health insurance. CMS administers HealthCare.gov and provides guidance and support to state-run health insurance marketplaces. Under the Affordable Care Act, most health plans—including plans available through the Health Insurance Marketplace—must cover a set of preventive services, including HIV screening, at no cost to the consumer.

View CMS’s HIV/AIDS resources.

Learn more about CMS’ role in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Federal Action Plan.

Department of Defense

The mission of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is to provide the military forces needed to deter war and to protect the security of our country. Within the DoD, the Military Health System (MHS) weaves together health care delivery, medical education, public health, private sector partnerships, and cutting edge medical research and development. Its HIV testing activities include offering routine HIV screening and linkage to medical care for military personnel and eligible DoD beneficiaries; providing educational resources and information about HIV prevention, testing, and treatment; and issuing policies related to HIV screening and linkage to care for military service members.)

Learn more about the Military Health System.

View DoD's activities in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Federal Action Plan.

Food and Drug Administration

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products, and medical devices. FDA is also responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.

While FDA doesn’t deliver or pay for HIV care, it plays a vital role in making HIV treatment possible. FDA responsibilities include playing a review and oversight role related to drugs, biologics, and medical devices for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of HIV/AIDS, and AIDS-related conditions. This includes assuring that diagnostic and screening tests for HIV are sensitive and specific for the detection and/or quantification of HIV in blood and other body fluids, and conducting regulatory research to establish product standards and develop improved testing methods to assess the safety of drugs and biologics. FDA regulates and approves tests that detect HIV infection, assuring that diagnostic and blood screening assays are sensitive and specific for the detection and/or quantification of HIV in blood and other body fluids. FDA also conducts regulatory research to establish product standards and improved testing methods.

Learn more about FDA’s role in HIV testing and diagnosis.

Learn more about FDA’s role in the oversight and review of HIV treatment/therapeutic products.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is the primary Federal agency for improving health and achieving health equity through access to quality services, a skilled health workforce, and innovative programs. HRSA's programs provide health care to people who are geographically isolated, and economically or medically vulnerable.

HRSA funds a network of community-based, patient-directed health centers that provide high quality preventive and primary health care to patients regardless of their ability to pay. Nearly 1,400 health center grantees operate 9,800 clinic sites in every state and U.S. territory, and approximately 1 in 14 people in the United States relies on a HRSA-funded health center for medical care. Among the many services these health centers provide is HIV testing and linkage to care for those who test positive.

In addition, HRSA’s HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) administers the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP), the largest Federal program focused exclusively on providing HIV care and treatment. The program provides a comprehensive system of care for people living with or affected by HIV who are uninsured or underinsured. Among the services that RWHAP-funded clinics provide is confirmatory HIV testing for those who have received an HIV-positive diagnosis from a single test, and comprehensive follow-up medical care for those whose diagnosis is confirmed.

Learn more about HRSA’s HIV testing and linkage to care efforts.

View HRSA’s activities in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Federal Action Plan.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Indian Health Service (IHS) provides a comprehensive health service delivery system for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). IHS’ National HIV/AIDS Program coordinates and promotes HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment activities specific to AI/AN people to prevent further spread of HIV and to improve health outcomes for those already living with HIV and AIDS.

Among the IHS National HIV/AIDS Program’s goals are to assist more AI/AN individuals in becoming aware of their HIV status. This includes providing HIV testing, counseling, and linkage to care at IHS facilities; promoting routine HIV screening as recommended by the CDC; communicating public health messages targeting AI/AN populations on the importance of knowing one’s HIV status; and providing technical assistance to Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations regarding HIV testing; and other HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs.

Learn more about IHS' HIV/AIDS Program.

View IHS' activities in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Federal Action Plan.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency—making important medical discoveries that improve health and save lives. NIH-funded scientists investigate ways to prevent disease and conduct research on both common and rare diseases to discover their causes, develop effective treatments, and find cures. NIH represents the largest and most significant public investment in AIDS research in the world. Almost all of the 27 NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) conduct and support basic, clinical, behavioral, social science, and translational research that addresses the prevention and treatment of HIV disease and its associated coinfections, comorbidities, and other complications.

NIH’s Office of AIDS Research (OAR) coordinates the scientific, budgetary, legislative, and policy elements of the trans-NIH HIV/AIDS-related research programs. OAR, a component of the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives in the Office of the NIH Director, supports the development of up-to-date HHS guidelines for the treatment of HIV infection, and the prevention and treatment of HIV-associated opportunistic infections. The guidelines are developed and regularly updated by working groups of HIV experts from across the country, including physicians, other health care clinical providers, pharmacists, researchers, and HIV treatment advocates. These clinical guidelines outline the current science and recommendations for treatment of HIV disease (e.g., antiretroviral therapy, treatment, and prophylaxis for opportunistic infections) as well as guidelines for conducting HIV testing and counseling. These expert working groups function under the auspices of the NIH OAR Advisory Council.

Learn more about NIH’s HIV/AIDS Research Program.

Learn more about NIH’s role in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Federal Action Plan.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) oversees the Department’s key public health offices and programs, a number of Presidential and Secretarial advisory committees, 10 regional health offices, the Office of the Surgeon General, and the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. OASH is committed to leading America to healthier lives. OASH is coordinating Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S., the cross-agency plan to reduce new HIV infections in the United States by 75 percent by 2025 and by 90 percent by 2030.

Within OASH, several offices work on efforts related to HIV testing to help people learn their status and connect them to the appropriate care or prevention services. These activities help achieve the goals of both the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S.. The OASH offices are:

The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), which provides leadership, coordination, and policy development for public health and prevention activities. It leads or co‐leads the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Physical Activity Guidelines, and it is home to the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition. ODPHP also coordinates Healthy People 2020, which includes a Leading Health Indicator on increasing the proportion of people living with HIV who know their serostatus along with other HIV-related objectives.
The Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP), which provides leadership to reduce the burden of infectious diseases and encourage collaboration and innovation among federal agencies and stakeholders. Its HIV-related initiatives include Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S., the National Vaccine Plan, the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, and the first federal blueprint to combat sexually transmitted disease. OIDP supports the Ready, Set, PrEP program; manages the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA); administers the Secretary’s Minority HIV/AIDS Fund; and oversees HIV.gov.
The Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP), which supports, strengthens, educates, and provides leadership to the nation’s system for protecting volunteers in research conducted or supported by HHS.
The Office of Minority Health (OMH), which promotes longevity, quality of life, elimination of health disparities, and reduction in barriers to prevention and care for minority populations in the United States. It provides definitive information, evidence‐based practices, and innovative partnerships to federal, state, and local entities.
The Office of Population Affairs (OPA), which promotes the health of individuals across the reproductive lifespan through innovative, evidence‐based adolescent health and family planning programs, services, strategic partnerships, evaluation, and research. OPA administers the Title X family planning program. OPA’s evidence-informed guidelines for the delivery of family planning services, developed and released in collaboration with CDC, recommend that providers in Title X clinics conduct routine, opt-out HIV screening for both male and female clients in accordance with CDC’s HIV testing guidelines. In addition, all Title X funded agencies are required to provide HIV/AIDS prevention education, including education on risks, infection prevention, and many also offer PrEP services and linkage to HIV care for those who test positive.
The Office on Research Integrity (ORI), which promotes integrity in research programs funded through the Public Health Service funds, both intramural and extramural, and responds to allegations of research misconduct.
The Office of the Surgeon General (OSG), which provides Americans the best scientific information on how to improve their health and reduce their risk of illness and injury. The Office also manages the operations of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.
The Office on Women’s Health (OWH), which improves the health of American women by advancing a comprehensive women’s health agenda throughout HHS and providing national leadership and coordination through policy, education, and innovative programs. OWH’s website shares information about HIV testing and the office coordinates National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
The OASH also has a Regional Health Administrator (RHA) in each of the 10 federal regions. These senior federal public health officials perform essential functions for HHS in the areas of prevention, preparedness, and agency-wide coordination. To support implementation of the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative, teams of U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps officers are working with the RHAs in regions 4, 6, and 9 as part of the Prevention through Active Community Engagement (PACE) program.

Learn more about OASH’s Activities.

View OASH activities in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Federal Action Plan.

Health Resources and Services Administration

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is the primary Federal agency for improving health and achieving health equity through access to quality services, a skilled health workforce, and innovative programs. HRSA's programs provide health care to people who are geographically isolated, and economically or medically vulnerable.

HRSA funds a network of community-based, patient-directed health centers that provide high quality preventive and primary health care to patients regardless of their ability to pay. Nearly 1,400 health center grantees operate 9,800 clinic sites in every state and U.S. territory, and approximately 1 in 14 people in the United States relies on a HRSA-funded health center for medical care. Among the many services these health centers provide is HIV testing and linkage to care for those who test positive.

In addition, HRSA’s HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) administers the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP), the largest Federal program focused exclusively on providing HIV care and treatment. The program provides a comprehensive system of care for people living with or affected by HIV who are uninsured or underinsured. Among the services that RWHAP-funded clinics provide is confirmatory HIV testing for those who have received an HIV-positive diagnosis from a single test, and comprehensive follow-up medical care for those whose diagnosis is confirmed.

Learn more about HRSA’s HIV testing and linkage to care efforts.

View HRSA’s activities in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Federal Action Plan.

Indian Health Service

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Indian Health Service (IHS) provides a comprehensive health service delivery system for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). IHS’ National HIV/AIDS Program coordinates and promotes HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment activities specific to AI/AN people to prevent further spread of HIV and to improve health outcomes for those already living with HIV and AIDS.

Among the IHS National HIV/AIDS Program’s goals are to assist more AI/AN individuals in becoming aware of their HIV status. This includes providing HIV testing, counseling, and linkage to care at IHS facilities; promoting routine HIV screening as recommended by the CDC; communicating public health messages targeting AI/AN populations on the importance of knowing one’s HIV status; and providing technical assistance to Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations regarding HIV testing; and other HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs.

Learn more about IHS' HIV/AIDS Program.

View IHS' activities in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Federal Action Plan.

National Institutes of Health

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency—making important medical discoveries that improve health and save lives. NIH-funded scientists investigate ways to prevent disease and conduct research on both common and rare diseases to discover their causes, develop effective treatments, and find cures. NIH represents the largest and most significant public investment in AIDS research in the world. Almost all of the 27 NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) conduct and support basic, clinical, behavioral, social science, and translational research that addresses the prevention and treatment of HIV disease and its associated coinfections, comorbidities, and other complications.

NIH’s Office of AIDS Research (OAR) coordinates the scientific, budgetary, legislative, and policy elements of the trans-NIH HIV/AIDS-related research programs. OAR, a component of the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives in the Office of the NIH Director, supports the development of up-to-date HHS guidelines for the treatment of HIV infection, and the prevention and treatment of HIV-associated opportunistic infections. The guidelines are developed and regularly updated by working groups of HIV experts from across the country, including physicians, other health care clinical providers, pharmacists, researchers, and HIV treatment advocates. These clinical guidelines outline the current science and recommendations for treatment of HIV disease (e.g., antiretroviral therapy, treatment, and prophylaxis for opportunistic infections) as well as guidelines for conducting HIV testing and counseling. These expert working groups function under the auspices of the NIH OAR Advisory Council.

Learn more about NIH’s HIV/AIDS Research Program.

Learn more about NIH’s role in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Federal Action Plan.

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) oversees the Department’s key public health offices and programs, a number of Presidential and Secretarial advisory committees, 10 regional health offices, the Office of the Surgeon General, and the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. OASH is committed to leading America to healthier lives. OASH is coordinating Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S., the cross-agency plan to reduce new HIV infections in the United States by 75 percent by 2025 and by 90 percent by 2030.

Within OASH, several offices work on efforts related to HIV testing to help people learn their status and connect them to the appropriate care or prevention services. These activities help achieve the goals of both the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S.. The OASH offices are:

The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), which provides leadership, coordination, and policy development for public health and prevention activities. It leads or co‐leads the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Physical Activity Guidelines, and it is home to the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition. ODPHP also coordinates Healthy People 2020, which includes a Leading Health Indicator on increasing the proportion of people living with HIV who know their serostatus along with other HIV-related objectives.
The Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP), which provides leadership to reduce the burden of infectious diseases and encourage collaboration and innovation among federal agencies and stakeholders. Its HIV-related initiatives include Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S., the National Vaccine Plan, the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, and the first federal blueprint to combat sexually transmitted disease. OIDP supports the Ready, Set, PrEP program; manages the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA); administers the Secretary’s Minority HIV/AIDS Fund; and oversees HIV.gov.
The Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP), which supports, strengthens, educates, and provides leadership to the nation’s system for protecting volunteers in research conducted or supported by HHS.
The Office of Minority Health (OMH), which promotes longevity, quality of life, elimination of health disparities, and reduction in barriers to prevention and care for minority populations in the United States. It provides definitive information, evidence‐based practices, and innovative partnerships to federal, state, and local entities.
The Office of Population Affairs (OPA), which promotes the health of individuals across the reproductive lifespan through innovative, evidence‐based adolescent health and family planning programs, services, strategic partnerships, evaluation, and research. OPA administers the Title X family planning program. OPA’s evidence-informed guidelines for the delivery of family planning services, developed and released in collaboration with CDC, recommend that providers in Title X clinics conduct routine, opt-out HIV screening for both male and female clients in accordance with CDC’s HIV testing guidelines. In addition, all Title X funded agencies are required to provide HIV/AIDS prevention education, including education on risks, infection prevention, and many also offer PrEP services and linkage to HIV care for those who test positive.
The Office on Research Integrity (ORI), which promotes integrity in research programs funded through the Public Health Service funds, both intramural and extramural, and responds to allegations of research misconduct.
The Office of the Surgeon General (OSG), which provides Americans the best scientific information on how to improve their health and reduce their risk of illness and injury. The Office also manages the operations of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.
The Office on Women’s Health (OWH), which improves the health of American women by advancing a comprehensive women’s health agenda throughout HHS and providing national leadership and coordination through policy, education, and innovative programs. OWH’s website shares information about HIV testing and the office coordinates National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
The OASH also has a Regional Health Administrator (RHA) in each of the 10 federal regions. These senior federal public health officials perform essential functions for HHS in the areas of prevention, preparedness, and agency-wide coordination. To support implementation of the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative, teams of U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps officers are working with the RHAs in regions 4, 6, and 9 as part of the Prevention through Active Community Engagement (PACE) program.

Learn more about OASH’s Activities.

View OASH activities in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Federal Action Plan.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.

SAMHSA works to ensure that individuals who are at high risk for or who have mental health and/or substance use disorders and who also are at risk for or are living with HIV/AIDS have access to and receive appropriate behavioral health services, including prevention and treatment. Among SAMHSA’s many activities are SAMHSA-funded grants support onsite HIV and viral hepatitis testing in substance abuse treatment facilities, as well as counseling, support, and linkage to care.

Learn more about SAMHSA’s HIV/AIDS activities.

View SAMHSA's activities in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Federal Action Plan.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) serves and honors the men and women who are America’s veterans. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest single provider of medical care to people living with HIV in the United States, supporting over 26,000 veterans living with HIV. This includes providing HIV testing, care, and treatment; clinician and patient education; prevention activities; and research directed at continuous improvement of medical and preventive services and delivery of care to veterans. VA’s HIV/AIDS efforts are carried out by VA medical facilities across the country.

VA’s HIV testing efforts include:

Routinely offering HIV testing to all patients who receive VHA medical care, and provide linkage to care to those who test positive.
Providing educational resources and information for VA patients and providers about HIV testing.
Issuing policies related to HIV testing in VHA facilities.
Supporting a public awareness campaign promoting HIV testing among Veterans.
Monitoring, interpreting, and disseminating data related to Veterans with HIV/AIDS, including HIV testing rates in VHA facilities.

Learn more about VA’s HIV testing efforts.

View VA’s activities in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Federal Action Plan.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.

SAMHSA works to ensure that individuals who are at high risk for or who have mental health and/or substance use disorders and who also are at risk for or are living with HIV/AIDS have access to and receive appropriate behavioral health services, including prevention and treatment. Among SAMHSA’s many activities are SAMHSA-funded grants support onsite HIV and viral hepatitis testing in substance abuse treatment facilities, as well as counseling, support, and linkage to care.

Learn more about SAMHSA’s HIV/AIDS activities.

View SAMHSA's activities in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Federal Action Plan.

Department of Veterans Affairs

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) serves and honors the men and women who are America’s veterans. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest single provider of medical care to people living with HIV in the United States, supporting over 26,000 veterans living with HIV. This includes providing HIV testing, care, and treatment; clinician and patient education; prevention activities; and research directed at continuous improvement of medical and preventive services and delivery of care to veterans. VA’s HIV/AIDS efforts are carried out by VA medical facilities across the country.

VA’s HIV testing efforts include:

Routinely offering HIV testing to all patients who receive VHA medical care, and provide linkage to care to those who test positive.
Providing educational resources and information for VA patients and providers about HIV testing.
Issuing policies related to HIV testing in VHA facilities.
Supporting a public awareness campaign promoting HIV testing among Veterans.
Monitoring, interpreting, and disseminating data related to Veterans with HIV/AIDS, including HIV testing rates in VHA facilities.

Learn more about VA’s HIV testing efforts.

View VA’s activities in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Federal Action Plan.