Evaluation of the National HIV Surveillance System: 2018-2023.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the United States' National HIV Surveillance System (NHSS), 2018-2023.

DESIGN

Surveillance performance outcome standards were calculated by health departments using a SAS program provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and were reported to CDC through an annual report.

SETTING

Submitted data from 59 health departments including the 50 US states, the District of Columbia, 6 separately funded cities (Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles County, New York City, Philadelphia, and San Francisco), and 2 territories (Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands).

PARTICIPANTS

Cases of HIV reported to the health departments based on data reported through the end of each year, 2018-2023.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome standards included measures for case ascertainment, duplicate review, risk factor information, data quality, laboratory reporting, antiretroviral use history information, cause of death, previous negative test result, geocoding, and data dissemination.

RESULTS

Achievement varied by standard with almost all health departments (HDs) meeting certain standards every year and fewer than 10 HDs achieving other standards.

CONCLUSIONS

During the period of assessment, results showed steady and improved performance in several measures. Standards related to recent enhancements in the surveillance system were not as resilient and showed potential for improvement. Continued monitoring is necessary to ensure further strengthening of NHSS.