Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 6, 2025
08:26
Large-Scale SARS-CoV-2 Testing Utilizing Saliva and Transposition Sample Pooling
Published on: June 23, 2022
1.8K
HIV Testing Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic - United States, 2019-2020
Elizabeth A DiNenno1, Kevin P Delaney1, Marc A Pitasi1
1Division of HIV Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC.
MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
|June 23, 2022
Summary
HIV testing is crucial for the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted testing, leading to fewer HIV diagnoses, especially among key populations.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- HIV testing is central to the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative aiming for a 90% reduction in new infections by 2030.
- HIV testing rates were previously linked to diagnosis rates and higher among individuals with recent HIV risk behaviors.
- The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted healthcare, including HIV testing services, due to public avoidance of services and redirection of resources.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HIV testing and diagnoses in the United States.
- To assess changes in HIV testing and diagnosis numbers between 2019 and 2020.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from four national data collection systems.
- Comparison of HIV tests performed and HIV infections diagnosed in 2019 (pre-pandemic) versus 2020 (during the pandemic).
Main Results:
- A 17% decrease in reported HIV diagnoses occurred in 2020 compared to 2019.
- This decrease in diagnoses was accompanied by reduced HIV testing, particularly affecting key populations such as Black and Hispanic gay men, bisexual men, other men who have sex with men (MSM), and transgender individuals in CDC-funded jurisdictions.
Conclusions:
- The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant decline in HIV testing and diagnoses, hindering progress towards the EHE initiative goals.
- Partnerships are essential to increase access to HIV testing services, including self-testing and routine opt-out screening, to mitigate pandemic-related losses and accelerate the EHE initiative.
