health
Task force urges broader testing for HIV
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Dec. 3, 2012
To help slow the spread of HIV in the United States, an expert panel recommends that doctors test for the disease in all patients 15 to 65 years old.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issued the draft recommendation statement on Nov. 20. The update broadens the panel’s 2005 guidance that called for testing adolescents and adults at increased risk of contracting the infection, and all pregnant women (link).
A key reason for the revision was the release in 2006 of new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance to screen routinely for HIV infection in all patients 13 to 64 years old. Another factor leading to the revision is new data that show the effects of HIV screening on high-risk behaviors and HIV transmission rates.
Health professionals and other members of the public can comment on the draft recommendation statement online (link). Comments will be accepted until Dec. 17 at 5 p.m. EST.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/12/03/hlbf1203.htm.