Last Updated: December 2019

Author: HIV, STD, and Hepatitis Program, Vermont Department of Health

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends routine HIV testing for adolescents so that people with HIV can get treatment. Effective treatment keeps HIV infected people healthy and living longer, and reduces the spread of HIV to others. Vermont has a very low prevalence and incidence of HIV among adolescents in grades 9-12. That is a good thing that we work to maintain. As a result, HIV is not a pressing concern for many Vermonters in this age group and therefore reported testing rates will likely remain low.

This indicator is part of Healthy Vermonters 2020 (the State Health Assessment) that documents the health status of Vermonters at the start of the decade and the population health indicators and goals that will guide the work of public health through 2020. Click here for more information.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
• Agency of Education
• Health Department District Offices
• Community Based Organizations
• AIDS Service Organizations
• FQHCs
• Medical Providers
• Hospitals

The Health Department promotes universal testing and recommends that all people, not only those at high risk for HIV, be tested at least once in their life. In addition, the Health Department offers free, anonymous counseling, testing and referral, and linkage to medical care services through a network of organizations using targeted campaigns, outreach, and social networks to engage individuals at increased risk for HIV.

The Health Department will continue to promote routine testing by adolescents in grades 9-12 through their medical providers, and offer free anonymous testing at our network of testing providers, to reach individuals who are unaware of their HIV status.

Data is updated as it becomes available and timing may vary by data source.

Note that prior to 2013, statewide estimates were generated by weighting responses from a representative sample of schools. In 2013, the methodology was changed and all student responses were used in creating statewide estimates, allowing for more accurate reporting. 2011 data were recalculated in the same way as 2013 data in order to improve comparisons. As a result, 2011 YRBS estimates that were published online after 02/04/2015 may be slightly different compared to those published previously.