National HIV Survey Finds Support for Routine Testing

WASHINGTON, June 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In recognition of National HIV
Testing Day, Friday, June 27th, Test for Life released a national survey on
attitudes surrounding HIV and AIDS as part of its national campaign to prevent
the spread of HIV/AIDS and ensure access to care for those who test positive.
At least 65% of those polled believe HIV tests should be part of routine
medical care.

The just-completed national survey of likely voters finds a high level of
concern about the spread of HIV/AIDS in the U.S. and identifies shifts in
conventional viewpoints on the disease.

AMONG THE FINDINGS:
  • 88% say HIV is a serious problem in the U.S. while a plurality (43%) see HIV and AIDS as becoming more widespread in the U.S. over the past decade;
  • Only 9% of those polled think health care reform is a priority issue for the Congress and the President; with high gas prices and the state of the economy seen as the top two policy issues;
  • 2/3 of Americans believe that HIV testing should be part of routine health care;
  • 85% believe that private insurance and/or government health plans should cover the cost of HIV/AIDS screening as part of routine healthcare;
  • 40% of Americans know a family member, friend or acquaintance diagnosed with HIV/AIDS;
  • While almost half (47%) of Americans have been tested for HIV, 82% believe that HIV positive individuals feel they must hide their status;
  • 51% still believe HIV to be terminal vs. 41% who believe that HIV is a chronic disease;
  • 62% believe that HIV/AIDS nationwide affects all races equally.
"These data make it clear that there is a national desire for HIV testing as
part of routine care in the U.S.," said Gary A. Puckrein, Executive Director
of Test For Life. "These numbers also show that there is much left to do to
stop the spread of HIV. The easiest steps each of us can take in order to
know one's status are to get a simple HIV test and get educated about HIV," he
continued.

The interviews were conducted June 21 - 23, 2008 by Mr. Peter Brodnitz of the
Benenson Strategy Group. Mr. Brodnitz was named "Pollster of the Year" in
2007 by the American Association of Political Consultants -- a bi-partisan
award given to one pollster per election year. The Benenson Strategy Group's
clients include Governor Tim Kaine (VA), Senator Jim Webb (VA), and Barack
Obama's campaign for President.
The data and full results can be found on Test For Life's website at:
www.testforlife.org

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are
approximately 250,000 to 300,000 Americans who do not know they are infected
with HIV. CDC also estimates that the majority of new infections are caused by
individuals who are unaware of their status and are unknowingly spreading the
disease.

Test for Life began in 2006 as an educational campaign of the National
Minority Quality Forum, designed to raise awareness of the importance of
routine HIV screening in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS. The Centers for
Disease Control and Preventions Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing are
essential to improving early diagnosis of HIV and linking patients to early
care and treatment of the disease. www.testforlife.org