Indiana University

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Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Last modified: Wednesday, June 27, 2012

IU expert: Current HIV testing approach 'not doing the job'

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Editors: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Tuesday plans for a pilot program that will offer free rapid HIV tests at pharmacies and in-store clinics in 24 cities and rural communities. A research team led by Beth Meyerson, a health policy and management expert at Indiana University's School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, is examining the feasibility of expanding HIV testing in Indiana pharmacies. She can be reached at bmeyerso@indiana.edu or 812-855-0585.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2012

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Beth Meyerson, co-chair of the Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention at Indiana University, said expanding HIV testing is critical.

"Forty percent of the people who live with HIV do not learn about their status until they are within a year of an AIDS diagnosis," said Meyerson, assistant professor of health policy and management in the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at IU Bloomington. "We also know that 20 percent of the people with HIV do not currently know it. This means that our current system of testing is not doing the job."

Meyerson is leading a research team that includes the School of HPER, The Kinsey Institute and Butler College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences to see whether HIV testing can be expanded in Indiana pharmacies.

"The evolution of HIV diagnostics paired with the changing role of pharmacies and pharmacists creates a wonderful opportunity to explore HIV testing in pharmacies and through pharmacies," she said. "We anticipate the availability of over-the-counter rapid HIV tests as well, and these all require a pharmacy environment that is ready for such health access opportunities."

The CDC is conducting a pilot study of pharmacy testing, using the free rapid HIV tests. In Indiana, which is not included in the pilot, HIV testing can be conducted at HIV testing sites, by private providers and with over-the-counter home kits that require a blood sample and a two-week wait for results. These home kits can cost about $80.

Meyerson said rural communities are particularly affected by the lack of preventive services.

"They lack adequate public health infratructure, and the infrastructure they do have tends to stigmatize HIV testing and the populations who come for testing," she said.

"The CDC study is a great opportunity to see how pharmacies in high-HIV-incidence communities can ride the HIV testing bike," Meyerson said. "Our study is Indiana-based and asks pharmacists and community members whether they accept pharmacy-based HIV testing, whether it is feasible and whether we are ready to move forward. This is important in a state with moderate HIV incidence and will help us design a testing system with policy supports."

About the School of HPER

IU's School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation encompasses a broad spectrum of academic interests and professional fields. The School of HPER offers nearly 50 undergraduate and advanced degree programs through its departments of Applied Health Science, Kinesiology, Environmental Health, and Recreation, Park and Tourism Studies. To further its health and wellness initiative, Campus Recreational Sports provides sport and fitness services for the IU community and the public.

Meyerson can be reached at bmeyerso@indiana.edu or 812-855-0585. More information about this study is available at the RCAP website.


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