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Starting in late September, the Free
Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland will begin opt-out HIV testing for all
patients. In 2006, CDC recommended all health care providers offer opt-out
testing for patients ages 13-64 and all pregnant women.
In Cuyahoga County, 4,519 people are
living with HIV/AIDS, according to the Cleveland Health Department. The Free
Clinic has seen a steady rate of 20-30 people testing HIV-positive each year
since 2006, according to HIV Outreach Manager Kalia Johnson. Last year the
clinic diagnosed 23 people; all except one were black men who have sex with men
and were ages 15-21. “If we test 200 people, we can count on about four of
those people being positive,” said Johnson.
Adriana Whelan, the clinic nurse
practitioner, said, “If we do opt-out testing, in addition to clinical testing,
which includes going out to high-risk communities, we may increase numbers for
the clinic overall.” The clinic will continue offering pre- and post-test
counseling services.
Whelan said the Free Clinic will use
the treatment-as-prevention approach. This method places patients on
antiretroviral treatment as soon as they are diagnosed to reduce their viral
loads and the risk of transmitting HIV.
The Free Clinic will continue its
educational efforts targeting at-risk populations. “One thing I don’t want to
get lost is the prevention piece of it,” said Johnson. “It’s one thing to test
someone; it’s another thing to educate them.”
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
