The HIV Epidemiology & Field Services Program of the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is authorized by the New York State Department of Health to conduct HIV/AIDS surveillance in New York City. Diagnostic providers are required by law to report all new diagnoses of HIV and AIDS, as well as all new HIV-related illness. Laboratories are required to report all positive Western Blot results, all detectable and undetectable viral loads, all CD4 counts, and all viral nucleotide sequences results. Surveillance involves investigating reports from providers and laboratories for HIV-related information including risk factor and date of initial diagnosis, and actively searching for unreported cases diagnosed in hospitals, clinics, doctors' offices, and community-based organizations.
The program also conducts research on HIV prevalence, incidence and behavior in populations at risk for HIV, such as men who have sex with men, injecting drug users, persons detained in the NYC Corrections System, and young minority women. Many of the studies are conducted in collaboration with community partners and academic research centers.
The staff of over 150 includes public health advisors, epidemiologists, physicians, and administrative staff.
HIV/AIDS Statistical Reports
How to Report a Diagnosis of HIV or AIDS
