Assessing Differences in CDC-Funded HIV Testing by Urbanicity, United States, 2016

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Infectious Disease Prevention

Background:

• HIV prevention efforts have reduced infections, but disparities persist.
• Certain populations and geographic areas are disproportionately affected by HIV.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) employs a high-impact approach to reduce new HIV infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze national-level CDC-funded HIV test data from 2016.
• To describe the population reached by HIV testing across different urbanicity settings (metropolitan, urban, rural).
• To assess the reach of HIV testing in relation to the CDC's high-impact prevention strategy.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of national-level HIV testing data funded by the CDC in 2016.
• Categorization of testing sites and diagnoses into three urbanicity settings: metropolitan (≥1,000,000 population), urban (50,000-999,999), and rural (<50,000).

Main Results:

• Over 70% of CDC-funded HIV tests and nearly 80% of new HIV diagnoses occurred in metropolitan areas.
• CDC-funded testing efforts successfully reach urban and rural areas, particularly in the Southern United States.
• Testing identifies individuals unaware of their HIV status and facilitates linkage to care and prevention services.

Conclusions:

• While metropolitan areas are central to HIV testing and diagnosis, CDC-funded efforts are vital in urban and rural settings.
• Continued focus on high-risk populations and geographic areas is essential.
• Sustained and potentially expanded efforts in rural areas and among underserved groups with low national burden are recommended for comprehensive HIV prevention.