2010 State Legislation Addressing HIV/AIDS Testing, Disparities, Public Education, and Needle Exchange Programs 

Marking its 15th World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, 2010, the United States remains a leader in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic. HIV – human immunodeficiency virus – fell from the list of top 10 leading causes of death in 1997. Through expansive prevention efforts, the United States has prevented an estimated 350,000 HIV infections and averted $125 billion in medical costs.

However, HIV remains a public health crisis. According to CDC surveillance, more than 56,000 individuals, or someone every 9.5 minutes, becomes infected annually. Approximately 1.1 million Americans live with the virus, though only 25 percent know their status.

State policymakers continue actively working on HIV/AIDS, refocusing their efforts to end a growing epidemic disproportionately affecting many communities. This compendium of state legislation, pending and enacted during the 2010 session, provides a glance of the progress made in addressing HIV/AIDS testing (who should be tested, consent and confidentiality, and testing standards), needle exchange programs, disparities in HIV/AIDS treatment, and public education about HIV/AIDS.

Cumulative AIDS Diagnoses Through 2008

For more information regarding 2010 HIV/AIDS legislation introduced, pending or enacted, please select a state or territory to review legislation, if available.

Source: National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010 NCHHSTP State Profiles , National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. Atlanta, G.A.: CDC, July 2010.