Although overall rates of HIV in Connecticut residents have been decreasing, disparities persist. Since 2006, black/African American women have had higher rates of HIV diagnosis than white and Hispanic women. The Healthy Connecticut 2020 objective is to have a 5% reduction in HIV diagnosis in black/African American females.

These data are current as of January 2022. 2021 data are expected early in 2023. Note: data for 2020 should be interpreted with caution due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on access to HIV testing & care related services. 

Potential Partners:

Connecticut Department of Public Health; Connecticut Department of Correction; Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice; State Department of Education; local public health agencies; public health professional associations; faith-based organizations; laboratories; health care providers including primary care and infectious disease physicians, community health centers, college and university health services , and hospitals; health professional associations; health insurers; pharmaceutical companies; community service agencies that address specific populations such as women, youth, homeless people, communities of color, and LGBT populations; organizations and coalitions focused on HIV/AIDS; schools of public health and medicine; HIV/AIDS research programs and institutes; and others.

Using surveillance data to improve program effectiveness, Connecticut identified the disparity in black female HIV diagnosis. As a result and as part of the CDC scalable evidence-based intervention strategies, Connecticut will implement a new evidence-based intervention targeting black females called PROMISE.

For current year priority strategies and actions, click here (right click to open link).

SHIP Strategies:

*Ensure housing support for persons with HIV/AIDS.

*Promote utilization of partner referral services for HIV-positive individuals.

*Promote condom use among sexually active youths and adults.

*Educate and train providers about routine HIV prevention, screening and treatment; and about CDC guidelines regarding testing and early treatment, referrals to prevention and treatment services, and culturally appropriate prevention, treatment and follow-up interventions.

*Implement routine screening programs to increase early detection of HIV; syringe exchange, drug treatment and other harm reduction measures; interventions to link and retain persons with HIV in care.

*Develop coordinated HIV surveillance, prevention and care data systems

*Explore use of pre-exposure prophylaxis as preventive measure for persons engaging in high-risk behaviors.