March 2022

Keeping Testing Flexible & Accessible During a Pandemic

The goal of GetTested is to help people find fast, free, and convenient testing for HIV and STDs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, offering flexible testing options was critical because CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care. For those at higher risk, CDC recommends getting tested at least once a year. 

In June 2021, new features were added to the tool that made it easier than ever to search for a COVID-safe way to get tested. In addition to STD testing and vaccine services, users can now filter for organizations that offer mail-only HIV self-testing. Another new feature lets users filter by distance from their location so it’s easier to plan for or avoid public transportation if they want to. As always, they can choose to see only free/low-cost options.

It’s too early to know whether offering more mail-in tests helped improve HIV or other STD testing rates after the start of the pandemic, and whether these changes will shape the landscape of testing moving forward. If your organization offers any of these services, let NPIN know so you can reach people in your area. If you want to encourage testing and vaccination but don’t offer services, consider putting an HIV or STD test search widget on your website.

1. Moitra E et al. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on HIV testing rates across four geographically diverse urban centres in the United States: an observational study. The Lancet Reg Hlth – Americas, 2022. 7(100159).

2. Melville N. HIV Testing Dips During Pandemic Raise Transmission Concerns. Medscape Medical News, Dec. 2021.

3. Fistonich G et al. A Pilot of Mail-Out HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing in Washington, District of Columbia During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Am J Prevent Med 2021, 61(5),S1:S16-S25.

4. Melendez JH et al. Home-Based Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections: Leveraging Online Resources During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Sexually Transmitted Dis 2021, 48(1):e8-e10.

New & Notable

Check out some materials recently uploaded to NPIN’s Materials Database.

Navigating the Harm Reduction Funding Landscape: A Guide for State, Federal, and Private Funding

Source: Heartland 

National TB Center

Source: NASTAD

Source: NASTAD

Materials Spotlight

The following recent resources are featured in NPIN’s Materials Database.

STD Contact Tracing Infographic

City Health Information (CHI): Testing for and Treating Latent Tuberculosis Infection

Source: National Coalition

of STD Directors

Source: Hep B

United

Source: NYC Dept. of

Health & Mental Hygiene

New Trainings & Webinars

Check out these recently added webinars:

• HIV Data in Action

Updates on the use of molecular data to focus prevention.

Data in Action for HIV Planning Groups

Data in Action for CDC Directly Funded Community-Based Organizations

Featured Widgets & Web Services

Add these useful widgets to your website—powered by NPIN’s Database.

New Campaign for STD

Awareness Week:

Prepare Before You’re There

Encourages people to make

sexual health intentional by creating a Safer Sex Game Plan.

World TB Day 2022

Find resources and information for World TB Day, a day to educate people about the impact of TB around the world.

A CDC-created overview for school staff of health disparities in LGBTQ+ youth and suggestions for minimizing these disparities.

Stay Connected With Us

• Join the NPIN Community.
  
  
• Submit your testing, prevention services, treatment, capacity building, or support services organization and be searchable in the NPIN Database.
  
  
• Follow us on Facebook and @CDCNPIN on Twitter

Questions or concerns? Contact us.