CDC's May 2026 HIV Data Shows Modest Care Improvements, But Testing Gaps Remain

February 23, 2026

The CDC published new national data in May 2026 showing slight improvements in HIV care and treatment outcomes across the United States, according to the agency's NCHHSTP Connections newsletter, while officials reiterated the continued need for expanded testing, prevention, and treatment efforts.

The release coincided with several other 2026 public health data initiatives from CDC's Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance, and Technology, including an updated Public Health Data Strategy that emphasizes integrating artificial intelligence tools across public health surveillance and expanding partnerships between state health departments and data intermediaries.

CDC's viral hepatitis program also published its 2026 Viral Hepatitis National Progress Report during the same period, tracking progress toward national elimination goals. According to the report, 5 of 10 annual targets have been met or exceeded so far, with continued investment in prevention, screening, and treatment access identified as necessary to meet the remaining goals.

To support that tracking, CDC's viral hepatitis program launched HepTracker, an interactive public dashboard that allows users to view national case surveillance and mortality data for hepatitis A, B, and C, broken down by jurisdiction, race and ethnicity, age group, and sex.

Despite these incremental improvements, public health officials have consistently emphasized that testing remains the entry point for all of these gains — care improvements only reach people who get tested and diagnosed in the first place.

Those looking to check where they stand on HIV testing timing specifically can use the testing window calculator, which distinguishes between 4th-generation and antibody-only HIV test windows.

Source: CDC NCHHSTP Connections Newsletter.