National HIV Testing Day
July 1, 2009
12:00 am ET
by Kevin
What a great National HIV Testing Day we just had! There is definitely renewed energy around efforts to curb HIV/AIDS, and it is exciting to see our colleagues and partners continuing to push prevention and early treatment. Last week, I was on Capitol Hill for a press conference for National HIV Testing Day. It was wonderful to see so many esteemed policy, advocacy, and public health leaders serving as guest speakers, including Jeff Crowley, Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy, and Frank Oldham, Jr., from the National Association of People with AIDS.
In advocating for testing, they were joined by leaders from the Congressional Black Caucus who are impassioned about our cause: Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (D–DC), Donna M. Christensen (D–VI), Maxine Waters (D–CA), Sheila Jackson Lee (D–TX), and Barbara Lee (D–CA), not pictured.
It was a pleasure to listen to these dedicated Representatives, who take every opportunity to promote HIV prevention efforts, reaching out to their constituents and the country about the importance of HIV testing and treatment.
Another exciting development was an invitation from CNN.com to write a commentary on HIV testing. It was a great opportunity to get out our messages about the importance of testing to reduce new infections in the U.S. In the commentary, I reminded Americans that the domestic HIV epidemic is far from over - and that HIV is still a major threat to the nation’s health. While the theme of this year’s NHTD is “Take the Test. Take Control.,” the CNN headline also put it well with the statement: “Simple HIV test can save lives.”
Also on the Web, AIDS.gov was ever ready with innovations, such as this year's “story widget” featuring powerful video stories from real people who took the test and learned to live with HIV, and a number of blog entries throughout the month under the theme "I Know. I Took the Test."
Finally, we were delighted when President Obama showed his support for National HIV Testing Day, with an entry on the White House blog advocating for testing. The entry included a 2006 video of then Senator Barack Obama and Michelle Obama getting an HIV test in Kenya, updated by a direct message from the President at the Oval Office, about why it’s so important for each and every one of us to get tested for HIV as a routine part of medical care. Bravo!
Thanks to everyone who made this year’s Testing Day a success. As always, I welcome your thoughts and news about your activities in the field.
Submit a comment - Comment Policy
Right Here...Right Now...
We are here today and we know that we have to work together to overcome this disease . . . I think I can speak for all of us to say that we are ready to bring the full force as a movement to the task of the Act Against AIDS Leadership Initiative.
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Posted by Dr. Fenton, on Thursday, April 9, 2009 at 4:00 pm ET
Finding our voice...
On Wednesday, March 11, 2009, I had the good fortune to meet with leaders of HIV and STD Programs from across the United States and the Territories. They represented a broad swathe of the country and a diversity of public health programs. We had a long agenda, but we still made time at the opening of the meeting to share briefly on our individual programs.
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Posted by Dr. Fenton, on Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 4:00 pm ET
Moving Forward with Prevention
I know that I have not written in a while, but I am energized to have this continuing opportunity to put down some thoughts on our health protection priorities and goals, as well as showcase our prevention achievements. The beginning of 2009 has been very busy with the presidential inauguration, the transition to a new administration, and most recently, the ongoing work on the national economic stimulus package. This gives us much to consider as 2009 begins to take shape—and prompts me to reflect on the year past. There is perhaps no better way to do the latter than through the 2008 NCHHSTP Annual Report, which was released today!
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Posted by Dr. Fenton, on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 4:00 pm ET
Reflecting on the Social Determinants of Health
Last week, NCHHSTP hosted a unique gathering that looked at how CDC and its partners could address the social factors that can lead to infectious diseases and health disparities—we refer to these as the social determinants of health. In preparation for the meeting, I found myself reflecting on the complexity of society and the domino effects that can result when basic foundations of education, health care, and financial security are fragile or absent.
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Posted by Dr. Fenton, on Monday, December 18, 2008 at 9:00 am ET
HIV Testing, Celebrating Life and World AIDS Day
Well, it has been a busy November and things are moving at a rapid pace as we approach the end of the year. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and wish you well in your activities for World AIDS Day 2008.
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Posted by Dr. Fenton, on Monday, December 1, 2008 at 10:00 am ET
Increasing HIV in Low Incidence Areas
The U.S. HIV epidemic continues to evolve with increased diagnoses being reported in cities and states where HIV is traditionally has been more common. Earlier this month, officials at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare announced that the number of HIV infections in their state have increased by 23 percent since last year. Over a dozen of those newly diagnosed were under 25 years of age.
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Posted by Dr. Fenton, on Wednesday, October 27, 2008 at 5:00 pm ET
Looking Back - Forward Thinking
Today marks the first day of the new fiscal year for our programs. This is a time well suited to reflection on what we’ve accomplished and a look forward to the year ahead. So I would like to share with you some of my thoughts on the past, present, and future of our work.
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Posted by Dr. Fenton, on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at 5:00 pm ET
On "The Hill"
On Tuesday, CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding and I participated in a Congressional hearing titled, “The Domestic Epidemic is Worse than We Thought: A Wake-Up Call for HIV Prevention,” held by Congressman Henry A. Waxman. Dr. Tony Fauci, Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, took part in the hearing.
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Posted by Dr. Fenton, on Thrusday, September 18, 2008 at 5:00 pm ET
A New Conversation...
I have been reflecting on my experiences at the XVII International AIDS Conference
in Mexico City, which concluded close to three weeks ago. As I walked the conference hall, I could feel the amazing energy, passion and commitment that this event brings together. Once again, I was humbled and invigorated by the selfless dedication of those committed to fighting the global HIV pandemic.
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Posted by Dr. Fenton, on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at 5:00 pm ET
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