What is HIV and AIDS surveillance and why is it conducted?
HIV and AIDS surveillance is the process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data about individuals infected with HIV or diagnosed with AIDS. Information derived from these data assist in the development of programs to prevent infection with HIV and to plan and evaluate treatment and support programs for Vermonters living with HIV and AIDS. HIV surveillance, which is relatively new in Vermont, has become increasingly important in recent years as treatment advances such as antiretroviral therapy slow the progression of HIV infection to AIDS. People are living longer with HIV, which means that AIDS data alone cannot give us a reliable estimate of the HIV epidemic or trends in HIV transmission. HIV surveillance data will help the Vermont Department of Health more effectively target our HIV prevention efforts in Vermont and help us support treatment for people infected with HIV.
