National HIV Surveillance System (NHSS)

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Summary

The National HIV Surveillance System (NHSS) is the primary source of HIV data for monitoring cases of HIV infection in the United States and 6 U.S. territories and freely associated states (American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Republic of Palau, U.S. Virgin Islands). The data are reported by laboratory and health care providers to state or local surveillance programs, who in turn report the data to CDC.

Historical Data Availability

No Known Issue

Future Data Availability

No Known Issue

Data Quality

High Risk
In August 2025, the ICR submission removed questions related to gender identity and sexual behaviors from the data collection instrument. Additionally, the response options for the sex variable were changed to include only "Male" and "Female."

Statutory Context

High Risk
Statutory authorization is vague.

Staffing and Funding

No Known Issue

Policy

High Risk
The CDC NHSS website has a banner posted indicating that content may be modified or removed in the future. While the scope of any changes is uncertain, ongoing policy priorities and executive actions indicate there is potential for future changes to the data collection or its associated documentation. Additionally, in August 2025, the ICR submission removed questions related to gender identity and sexual behaviors from the data collection instrument. Additionally, the response options for the sex variable were changed to include only "Male" and "Female."
Last updated: 2026-08-13

Details

Reference Number Title Agency Status Request Type
202602-0920-009 [NCHHSTP] National HIV Surveillance System (NHSS) HHS/CDC Received in OIRA
Extension without change of a currently approved collection
202508-0920-010 [NCHHSTP] National HIV Surveillance System (NHSS) HHS/CDC Active
No material or nonsubstantive change to a currently approved collection
202412-0920-021 [NCHHSTP] National HIV Surveillance System (NHSS) HHS/CDC Historical Active
No material or nonsubstantive change to a currently approved collection
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