In keeping with the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, Illinois is working to reduce new infections and provide treatment to people living with HIV, especially within the gay and bisexual, African-American, Hispanic and prison populations, in which health disparities exist.
Encouraging HIV testing is an important aspect of both reducing infections and bringing treatment to people living with HIV. When unaware of their HIV infection, individuals can spread HIV to others through unprotected sex, intravenous drug use or other ways, causing up to 75 percent of new HIV cases. In addition, undiagnosed individuals also do not receive the benefit of medical treatments that can slow the progression of HIV infection into AIDS or other illnesses.