3. Promoting HIV Testing in Diverse Populations
Key Events in the US HIV Epidemic (early 1980s - late 1990s)
This very condensed timeline is intended to provide a context to understand the importance of routine HIV testing in healthcare settings.
1981
In the June, the CDC reports the first cases of a rare type pneumonia in young gay men, marking the official beginning of the US HIV epidemic. In July, the CDC issues a report on the occurrence of a rare skin cancer, Kaposi's sarcoma, in young gay men.
1982
The CDC formally establishes the term “acquired immune deficiency syndrome” (AIDS) and refers to 4 “identified risk factors”: male homosexuality, intravenous drug abuse, Haitian origin, and hemophilia A.
1983
The US Public Health Service issues recommendations for preventing transmission of HIV through sexual contact and blood transfusions. In France, Dr. Luc Montagnier isolates the lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV), later to become known as human immunodeficiency virus or HIV.
1984
In the United States, Robert Gallo, MD, identifies HIV as the cause of AIDS.
1985
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licenses the first HIV test to detect antibodies to HIV. Blood banks begin to screen the US blood supply.
1987
Zidovudine (ZDV), a nucleoside analog, is the first antiretroviral drug to receive FDA approval.
1988
The surgeon general and the CDC mail a brochure, “Understanding AIDS” to all US households—the first and only national mailing of its kind.
1989
The CDC issues the first guidelines for the prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), an AIDS-defining opportunistic infection and a major cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected persons.
1990
Congress passes the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act, providing federal funds for community-based care and treatment services.
1992
The FDA licenses the first rapid HIV screening test.
1993
President Bill Clinton establishes the White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP).
1994
The US Public Health Service recommends the use of zidovudine by pregnant women to reduce perinatal transmission of HIV.
The FDA approves an oral HIV test, the first non-blood–based HIV antibody test.
1995
Saquinavir, the first protease inhibitor, is approved in record time by the FDA, beginning the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).
The first guidelines for the prevention of opportunistic infections in HIV-infected persons are issued by CDC.
The National Association of People with AIDS announces the first National HIV Testing Day.
1996
The FDA approves nevirapine, the first non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI).
The FDA approves an HIV urine test and the first HIV home testing and collection kit.
The FDA approves the first test to measure HIV-1 RNA in the blood.
For the first time, the number of new AIDS cases diagnosed in the United States declines.
1997
US AIDS-related deaths decline by more than 40% vs the previous year, largely due to HAART.
1998
At the behest of the Congressional Black Caucus, the US government creates the Minority AIDS Initiative in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
The DHHS issues the first national guidelines for the use of antiretroviral therapy in adults.
