Newly diagnosed cases of HIV in Connecticut residents have been decreasing since 2002, with a 73% reduction in diagnoses from 2002 to 2019. Over the last five years, the rates have shown some variability but continue to decline over all. The Healthy Connecticut 2020 objective is to reduce by 5% the number of diagnosed cases of HIV in Connecticut residents.

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.

Prevention strategies implemented early in the epidemic have been effective in preventing high rates of infection, but recently have changed to address the current environment focusing on education, condom distribution, outreach testing and linkage, routine testing in healthcare settings, syringe exchange, and cost-effective interventions. These strategies are considered High Impact Prevention strategies as supported and recommended by CDC.

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.