OraSure Technologies, Inc.

HIV Testing at the Dentist: NYC-Based VIP Smiles Offers Rapid HIV Testing During Dental Visits

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:39:16 -0400

HIV testing at the dentist’s office? Yes. With patients visiting twice annually and the convenience of rapid oral fluid testing technology, the dentist’s office is an ideal location – just ask Dr. Catrise Austin, D.D.S of VIP Smiles.

The program was launched in early August and leverages OraQuick ADVANCE®. As part of the routine testing program, all patients who enter the office will be offered an oral fluid HIV test. VIP Smiles sees hundreds of patients per month and hopes to serve as a model for dentists across the country.

LA County's Test-Fest Raises HIV/AIDS Awareness within the Local Community

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:21:05 -0400

In Los Angeles County, one in four people who are infected with HIV don't know it, but the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health's Office of AIDS Programs and Policy is aiming to change that. The department recently held its first ever "Test-Fest" event on Saturday, July 25th at Ted Watkins County Park in an effort to normalize HIV testing and make it as convenient as possible.

Approximately 3,000 people attended and more than 200 people were tested with the OraQuick ADVANCE® rapid oral fluid HIV test.

"Test Fest" is part of "Virus," a multi-faceted HIV Testing campaign recently launched by the Office of AIDS Programs and Policy that is designed to make Angelenos ask the question: "Could I have HIV?" The campaign includes a series of "Test-Fest" events that bring HIV testing mobile units into the community.

The first "Test-Fest" event took on July 25, 2009, and included live entertainment with approximately 10 mobile HIV testing units at the event. More than 200 Southern California residents were tested with OraQuick ADVANCE® and received their results before leaving the event.

North Bronx Healthcare Network Offers Model for Successful ER Routine HIV Testing Program

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:31:40 -0400

In 2001, the North Bronx Healthcare Network, which includes Jacobi Medical Center and North Central Bronx Hospital, launched Project BRIEF — Behavior intervention, Rapid HIV test, Innovative video, Efficient cost and health care savings, and Facilitated seamless linkage to outpatient HIV care – a routine HIV testing program initiated to help increase the number of people tested for HIV/AIDS in the two hospitals. The project, led by Dr. Jason Leider and Dr. Yvette Calderon, and funded by the New York City Health Department, provides HIV screening counseling via private HIV "kiosks" while patients wait for the results of their OraQuick ADVANCE® rapid oral fluid screening results. Patients who test positive are immediately connected to care. The program is a key part of "The Bronx Knows" - a progressive campaign that aims to offer HIV testing to every Bronx adult in the next three years.

From October 2005 to April 2009, 33,325 patients were approached in the Jacobi and North Central Bronx emergency departments and urgent care areas and 29,094 agreed to be tested for HIV. Of those, 134 were newly diagnosed with HIV and connected to care.

The success of Project BRIEF has been recognized on a national and international level and the program serves as a model program for routine HIV testing across the country.

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South Florida Clinic Sees Massive Spike in HIV Testing After Implementing OraQuick ADVANCE

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:10:39 -0400

In late June 2009, OraSure Technologies sat down to speak with Jorge Gardela, Health and Community Services Manager at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida, about the organization's HIV testing program.

The Center, one of the largest rapid testing sites in Southern Florida, expanded its HIV testing programs in 2005 as a result of the CDC's MMWR publication (June 2005) that indicated that more South Florida men who have sex with men (MSM's) were unaware of their status than in most other urban locations.

In 2006, The Center introduced OraQuick ADVANCE® in an effort to make the process easier and more accessible for the increased number of MSM's who were seeking HIV testing. Since introducing OraQuick ADVANCE®, the Center has increased the number of MSM's who are tested by 400%.

Congresswoman Waters Fights to Ensure Inclusion of HIV Testing Coverage in Landmark Healthcare Reform Bill

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:09:54 -0400

Congresswoman Maxine Waters and a bipartisan group of 21 Representatives have joined together to fight for the inclusion of provisions requiring health insurance plans to cover routine HIV tests in the America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 (H.R. 3200), the landmark health care reform bill that President Obama has identified as legislation that must be passed in 2009.

In an effort to increase the number of people who know their HIV status and help stem the spread of HIV in America, Congresswoman Waters introduced the Routine HIV Screening Coverage Act (H.R. 2137) which would require health insurance plans to cover voluntarily routine opt-out HIV testing under the same terms and conditions as other routine health screenings, such as cholesterol and diabetes screenings.

Standard health insurance plans generally cover HIV screening only when there are known risk factors present for HIV or when there are clinical indications of infection, such as symptoms of AIDS. This is in direct contrast to the CDC's HIV testing guidelines, which recommend routine testing for all individuals aged 13 to 64, regardless of risk.

"OraSure commends Congresswoman Maxine Waters and other congressional leaders who are fighting for legislation that will help stem the spread of HIV in America and who are standing in support of the CDC's recommendations for routine HIV testing for all Americans, regardless of risk," said Douglas A. Michels, President and Chief Executive Officer of OraSure Technologies. "Testing is the first step in prevention. By making HIV testing a standard part of the routine health examinations covered by health insurance providers, millions more people will be tested and will learn their status each year, enabling HIV positive people to seek immediate care."

Dept. of Veterans Affairs Removes Barriers to HIV Testing and Increases Access to Testing for Veterans

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:09:20 -0400

The Department of Veterans Affairs recently updated its informed consent requirements related to HIV testing, eliminating the regulatory requirement for written informed consent for HIV testing and specific pre- and post-test counseling of veteran patients.

The newly updated consent requirements will remove significant barriers to routine HIV testing within the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA), making it possible to implement broad-scale, routine HIV screening in alignment with the CDC's recommendation for routine HIV testing for all patients aged 13 to 64, regardless of risk. The VA is the largest integrated healthcare provider in the United States and the single largest provider of HIV care.

"OraSure commends the Department of Veterans' Affairs for updating its consent requirements for HIV testing and removing the barriers that have for years limited access to HIV screening and counseling for veterans," said Douglas A. Michels, President and Chief Executive Officer of OraSure Technologies. "As the single largest provider of HIV services in the Unites States, the VA's actions of ensuring access to testing for all veterans sends a loud and clear message to the healthcare community that HIV testing is the first step in stemming the spread of the HIV crisis. By increasing access to testing, the VA will enable more people learn their status and will empower them to get the care they need to live long and healthy lives."

Gay Men's Health Crisis Offers Free HIV Tests to NAACP Convention Attendees

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:29:55 -0400

According to the CDC, African Americans make up approximately 13% of the U.S. population but account for nearly half of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses. To help raise awareness among the African American community about the importance of HIV testing as a prevention tool, the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC), the world's oldest HIV/AIDS service organization, was on hand at the NAACP’s annual convention. The convention took place in New York City, July 13 – 15, 2009.

GMHC set-up an on-site testing clinic and offered free HIV tests to attendees. Attendees were offered OraQuick ADVANCE® oral fluid rapid HIV tests and received their results in just twenty minutes. Nearly 100 convention attendees were tested and 100% learned their status. GHMC also distributed HIV prevention materials including educational literature and sexual protection.

GMHC's CEO and one of the Agency’s HIV testing administrators took time to speak with us about the importance of rapid oral fluid testing and the impact OraQuick ADVANCE® has had on patients’ willingness to be tested.

Debra Fraser-Howze Bestowed Highest Honor from National Medical Association

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:47:46 -0400

Ms. Debra Fraser-Howze has spent more than twenty five years in the fight against HIV in the African American community by raising awareness of the disease, educating people about the risk factors and helping to connect HIV-positive people with care.

In recognition of her monumental efforts, Ms. Fraser-Howze, Vice President of Government and External Affairs at OraSure, has received the Scroll of Merit, the National Medical Association's (NMA) highest honor.

The Scroll of Merit is given in recognition of unique exceptional achievement in medicine, science, education or public service. The award was conferred on July 25th at the NMA’s Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly in Las Vegas.

Ms. Fraser-Howze has been selected for this high honor because of her important contributions to the fight against HIV/AIDS in the African American community. Ms. Fraser-Howze was the first to mobilize a broad coalition of African American Leaders that included clergy, political leaders, community based organizations and medical professionals in the fight against HIV/AIDS at a time when many were unaware of the disease or the danger to the community.

Prior to joining OraSure, Ms. Fraser-Howze served as the President/CEO of National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (NBLCA), an organization she founded in 1987. NBLCA conducts policy, research and advocacy on HIV and AIDS to ensure effective participation of its leadership in all policy and resource allocation decisions at the national, state and local levels of communities of African descent nationwide. NBLCA is now the largest Black HIV and AIDS non-profit organization of its kind in America.

Citywide "Get Text-ed for HIV" Mobile Texting Campaign Launched in Philadelphia

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:22:55 -0400

On June 26, 2009, OraSure Technologies partnered with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health AIDS Activities Coordinating Office (AACO) to launch Get Text-ed for HIV, a citywide HIV testing campaign to provide HIV testing site information to residents of Philadelphia via mobile text messages. To kickoff the event, Senator Vincent Hughes took the OraQuick ADVANCE® HIV test using a simple oral fluid sample to draw attention to the critical role of HIV testing in stemming the spread of HIV/AIDS in Philadelphia.

More than 100 Mayors Participate in Fifth Annual Mayors Campaign Against HIV

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:22:25 -0400

More than 100 mayors from across the country stood in unity on National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) as part of OraSure's Mayors Campaign Against HIV™ to help raise awareness about the importance of HIV testing in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The campaign, in its fifth year, attracted participation of mayors from cities large and small including New York, Phoenix, Seattle, Miami and Athens, Ga.

OraSure Opens the NASDAQ Market for National HIV Testing Day

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:21:38 -0400

On Friday, June 26th, OraSure joined with Frank Oldham, Jr., Executive Director of NAPWA, to preside over the NASDAQ stock market opening bell in honor of National HIV Testing Day.

Testing Event Raises AIDS Awareness within NASCAR Community

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:20:56 -0400

On Saturday June 20th, an HIV/AIDS testing event was held to commemorate the 20-year anniversary of racing legend Tim Richmond's death and raise HIV/AIDS awareness within the NASCAR community. The event took place at the Mansfield Sports Motorpark in Mansfield, OH.

Rapid HIV testing with OraQuick was available to all fans under the Mansfield Park grandstand. Approximately 140 people were tested with OraQuick ADVANCE® including notable ARCA Re/Max driver, Tim George Jr.

OraSure Employees Support AIDS Walk New York 2009

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:12:54 -0400

On Sunday, May 17th, 2009, more than 50 employees from OraSure Technologies travelled from its Bethlehem, PA headquarters to New York City to participate in the 24th annual AIDS Walk New York. OraSure participates annually as one of the event’s corporate sponsors.

OraSure employees hit the streets with approximately 45,000 participants and raised $5.6 million, according to Gay Men's Health Crisis, which is one of over 50 local AIDS service organizations that benefits from the annual fundraising event.

Since its launch in 1986, AIDS Walk New York has raised over $100 million and has grown into one of the largest AIDS fundraising events in the world. The event is also the world’s largest walkathon.

Superbowl Champs Raise HIV/AIDS Awareness in Batesville, MS

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:12:07 -0400

On Saturday, May 16, 2009, Batesville, Mississippi, native DeShea Townsend from the Pittsburgh Steelers returned to his hometown and helped raise HIV/AIDS awareness along with teammate James Farrior. Townsend took an OraQuick ADVANCE® HIV test to draw attention to the critical role that HIV prevention and education play in stemming the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Ten years ago, DeShea Townsend began hosting football clinics for the city's youth to provide a fun, safe, one-day escape to learn fundamental football skills. A decade later, in conjunction with Townsend's 10th annual football camp, the South Panola High School alumnus and defensive back for the Pittsburgh Steelers added a community health awareness fair in Batesville.

As part of the Health Fair, Townsend, along with teammate James Farrior took the OraQuick ADVANCE® Rapid HIV test using a simple oral fluid sample to draw attention to the critical role of HIV testing and prevention education play in stemming the spread of AIDS and to show people how simple getting tested can be with rapid oral fluid testing.

OraSure donated rapid HIV tests to the Aaron E. Henry Community Health Center to help educate local residents about the importance of testing and prevention of HIV. Approximately 50 local residents were tested at the Health Fair.

Super Bowl Champ Takes Public HIV Test

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:10:06 -0400

Deshea Townsend, a two-time Super Bowl winner as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers and founder of the Pay It Forward Foundation and Football Day Camp -- now in its 10th year -- on May 16 took a public oral HIV antibody test to draw attention to the impact of the disease in his home state of Mississippi and to encourage others to get screened for the disease.

NFL stars to promote HIV awareness in Mississippi

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:08:52 -0400

Batesville native and two-time Super Bowl champ DeShea Townsend will take an OraQuick Advance HIV test in conjunction with the 10th Annual Pay It Forward Football Day Camp and Health Fair set for 10 a.m. Saturday at Batesville Middle School Gymnasium.

The event is designed to draw attention to the critical roles of HIV testing and prevention education in stemming the spread of AIDS in Mississippi.

OraSure bets big on future products

Tue, 19 May 2009 17:37:29 -0400

OraSure Technologies continues to bet big on broadening the reach of its products, which can quickly test blood and oral fluid for HIV infection or drug use, by investing heavily in research and development.

By spending so much on getting new products to federal government approval, the Bethlehem company is sacrificing profits today in hopes of bigger returns in the future.

OraSure expanding its array of rapid diagnostic products

Tue, 19 May 2009 17:37:01 -0400

You might not realize it, but one of the major problems with treating HIV is that many people don't know they have it. In the United States, it's estimated that some 1.2 million have HIV in the United States--but nearly a third of those don't know it.

That's why OraSure's novel HIV screening device, OraQuick ADVANCE, has the potential for wide acceptance not only in the United States, but also in an international community that affects more than 40 million people worldwide.

DC’s rising AIDS rate 'worse than West Africa'

Tue, 19 May 2009 17:36:37 -0400

NBC’s Robert Bazell discusses a new report issued by the Department of Health in Washington DC has set off alarm signals in the nation’s capital. The report confirmed for the first time that at least 15,120 residents -- about 3,000 per every 100,000 over the age of 12 (roughly 3% of the total DC population!) -- have HIV or AIDS.

The video shows footage of the District of Columbia Department of Health’s Operational Support testing van traveling to different parts of Washington DC persuading people to learn their HIV status by taking OraSure’s OraQuick ADVANCE Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test.

FDA Says Rapid HIV Tests Good for 12 Months

Tue, 19 May 2009 17:35:58 -0400

OraSure Technologies announced this week that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved its request for 12-month shelf life from the date of manufacture for its OraQuick ADVANCE Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test.
The FDA approval is based on enhancements made by OraSure to the manufacturing process and product packaging of its OraQuick ADVANCE test, and represents a six-month increase in shelf life over that of product currently available. The company anticipates having the enhanced product available for delivery starting in March.

Open Door Family Medical Centers Remove Barriers to HIV Testing by Bringing the OraQuick ADVANCE Rapid HIV Test to the Community Through Mobile Units

Tue, 19 May 2009 17:35:18 -0400

Open Door Family Medical Centers, a community-based organization serving the underinsured communities of Westchester County, NY, is making strides in the fight against the HIV epidemic. A major service provided by Open Door is HIV testing. Previously, the facilities utilized traditional laboratory-based testing to screen for HIV, but have now switched to rapid testing with OraQuick ADVANCE using oral fluid.

The introduction of rapid testing with oral fluid has enabled Open Door to administer HIV testing within the community through its mobile testing unit. With the rapid oral fluid test, Open Door has been able to help remove barriers to HIV testing, because community members are able to take the test - a quick swab of the mouth, which requires no needles and no blood - and get their results in as little as 20 minutes. Community members can get tested and walk away with the certainty that they are getting accurate results - they view OraQuick ADVANCE as a test they can trust, and Open Door as a facility they can trust. In 2008, Open Door administered approximately 1,400 HIV tests through their mobile testing units.

OraSure in the News: WFMZ-TV 69 News - HIV/AIDS Devastating the African American Community

Tue, 19 May 2009 17:34:52 -0400

Debra Fraser-Howze, OraSure's Vice President of Government and External Affairs, participated in an on-air interview with Lehigh Valley's WFMZ-TV 69 News. Ms. Fraser-Howze discussed the HIV/AIDS crisis among the African American Community and also what is being done, nationally and locally to help stem the spread of HIV/AIDS.

OraSure in the News: WFMZ-TV 69 News - Congressman Dent Honored by Local Vets

Tue, 19 May 2009 17:34:29 -0400

On Monday, March 9, 2009, OraSure Technologies was the site of recognition event that honored Congressman Dent and the work he has done to improve healthcare for veterans, including his work in passing legislation to remove barriers to HIV Testing throughout VA Health Care System.

OraSure Technologies Honors Congressman Dent for His Work to Improve Healthcare for Veterans

Tue, 19 May 2009 17:33:09 -0400

On Monday, March 9, 2009, OraSure Technologies was the site of a recognition event that honored Congressman Dent and the work he has done to improve healthcare for veterans, including his work in passing legislation to remove barriers to HIV Testing throughout the VA Health Care System.

College Students Take Responsibility for Their Sexual Health

Tue, 19 May 2009 17:28:02 -0400

Students across the country are getting ready for Spring Break. This year, the to-do list for students at the University of South Alabama includes packing, buying suntan lotion—and getting an OraQuick ADVANCE Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test.