City Plans to Test Every Bronx Adult for HIV

Bid to tackle highest AIDS death rate in NY

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Jun 26, 2008 3:50 AM CDT

(Newser) – City officials aim to test every Bronx adult for HIV by 2011 under an ambitious initiative to tackle the high rate of AIDS deaths in the borough, the New York Times reports. The voluntary testing would become routine in emergency rooms and storefront clinics and would pare down consent requirements into a 5-minute presentation health care providers could quickly run through.

“Routine would mean if you came into the emergency room for asthma or a broken leg, we test everyone for HIV, if they’re willing,” said the city's health commssioner. Most health officials welcomed what may be the nation's largest testing effort, but some residents were concerned it would reinforce stereotypes about the Bronx.

Health officials in the Bronx hope to test every resident for HIV. (Getty Images)

A nurse takes a blood sample for an HIV/AIDS test from a patient in this file photo. (AP Photo/Luis Romero)

Health officials in the Bronx hope to test every resident for HIV. Bronx has the highest HIV death rate in the city, because people wait too long to get tested. (Getty Images)

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Bid to tackle highest AIDS death rate in NY

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

AIDS • New York • public health • Bronx • HIV/AIDS • AIDS prevention

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Scientists Closing in on AIDS Vaccine

Successful simian vaccine marks major advance

AIDS Drugs Slash Risk of Getting HIV in First Place

Pair of studies show minimum 60% drop in infection rate

Study Yields Breakthrough in AIDS Treatment

Taking antiretroviral drugs early slashes risk of spreading disease

In AIDS Battle, US Victims Take Back Seat

Time to wake up to needs of at-risk Americans

Bush: AIDS Fight in Africa Is American Way

We've taken big strides, but the fight's not over

About Us

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Newser By Users

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