Health
Increasing access to rapid HIV test
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted July 11, 2005
The American Medical Association will collaborate with other medical societies to increase access to the rapid HIV test, working in a manner consistent with quality assurance guidelines published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2003, according to policy adopted at the AMA's Annual Meeting in June. Testing should also include pre- and post-test counseling.
The Association has long advocated that HIV testing should be readily available. Wider access to tests that do not require waiting days or longer for results is believed to be one way to reach the large number of people who are unaware they are infected.
A progress report will be issued at the 2006 Interim Meeting.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/07/11/hlbf0711.htm.
