THE NEED TO KNOW: ACCELERATING ACCESS TO TESTING

In 2004, GBC launched its global "opt-out" campaign calling for dramatic scale up of HIV testing and counseling. At the core of the campaign is a policy change, moving from strictly voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) to an "opt-out" approach.  With this model, individuals are routinely offered HIV tests (always with the ability to refuse a test if they do not want it), shifting the burden from the individual to the health and community service providers.  The principles of confidentiality, informed consent and counseling are enshrined in the policy, minimizing much of the fear associated with HIV testing.

Background on Testing

HIV testing is the single most influential driver for behavior change. Yet less than 10% percent of people living with HIV in developing countries are aware of their HIV status. Learning one's status provides an incentive for individuals who test negative to stay negative.  It also encourages people living with HIV/AIDS and their partners to prevent transmission of new infections and to seek care.

Successful HIV prevention and care programs require a combination of increased testing and counseling, together with targeted efforts from the public health community.  To ensure the success of testing programs, increases in funding from donor governments, reductions in drug and diagnostic pricing, integration of public-private delivery of healthcare and shifts in policy at a national level will all be required.  

GBC Action on Testing

Internationally
Following a New York Times op-ed in which GBC President and CEO Richard Holbrooke and World Medical Mission Founder Richard Furman addressed the failures of voluntary counseling and testing to date, GBC worked aggressively to make the shift in HIV testing policy a reality.

GBC worked with WHO and UNAIDS to officially announce a change in global policy from "voluntary" counseling and testing to an approach that routinely offers and recommends testing (always with the ability to opt-out). This was announced in Bangkok, Thailand, on the eve of the International AIDS Conference in 2004.

The announcement was followed by an expert meeting of GBC Testing Working Group to develop implementation strategies which support the policy.  The campaign secured commitments from the business sector and other partners to finance and manage small scale demonstration projects in countries where testing could immediately enhance existing prevention and care programs. Additionally, the campaign specifically addressed priorities outlined by the Gates Foundation's Global Prevention Working Group related to HIV testing.

In order to assist businesses implementing testing and counseling in the workplace, GBC convened a working group of seven South African member companies active in the field of HIV/AIDS.  The working group pooled their expertise, compiling a practical manual that facilitates private-sector implementatation of a testing and counseling program.  This set of guidelines is targeted primarily at businesses with large workforces located in South Africa and the South African Development Community.  For more information please read A Practical Guide for Business Managers: Accelerating Access to HIV Counseling and Testing.

Domestically
In June 2007, GBC, HBO, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Kaiser Family Foundation developed the Testing411 campaign, a multi-media strategy encouraging millions of Americans to get tested for HIV. Launched at the GBC Awards For Business Excellence Gala, the Public Service Announcements (PSAs) feature Academy Award Winner Jamie Foxx, Queen Latifah, and NBA players.  For more information on the campaign and to find a testing center near you, please visit www.testing411.org.

More Information

To view best practice case studies on HIV Testing in the workplace, please visit GBC’s Case Study Database.

For more information on how your company can be engaged in HIV Testing, please email KEP Manager Shuma Panse.