National HIV Behavioral Surveillance

The primary purpose of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) system is to monitor the HIV epidemic through an ongoing HIV behavioral surveillance system. This system ascertains the prevalence of and trends in HIV risk behaviors and HIV infection among groups at high risk for HIV infection. Information from the system is used to develop and direct the evaluation of national and local HIV prevention services and programs. The system focuses on the three populations at highest risk: men who have sex with men; injectable drug users; and heterosexuals at increased risk of HIV. The project collects information from these three populations in rotating 12-month cycles.