This year marks a decade since European Testing Week was first launched in 2013. Twice a year, in May and November, week-long campaigns raise awareness about the importance and benefits of early testing for HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and also increase access to testing.
WHO supports European Testing Week, acknowledging the vital nature of testing. Many people in the WHO European Region are living with HIV and/or viral hepatitis but are not aware of it. Unfortunately, in 50% of cases, HIV infection is diagnosed late. WHO recommends differentiated and integrated testing for HIV, viral hepatitis and STIs, including rapid diagnostic testing and self-testing.
More than 700 different organizations and institutions across Europe participate in European Testing Week. Many different types of participants (community organizations, health-care institutions, policy institutions, research institutions and educational facilities) organize a variety of activities for the campaign. These include:
- awareness-raising activities, such as using ambassadors to promote testing, engaging media outlets and using social media to promote the event and encourage people to test, and disseminating printed materials about testing;
- promotion of the European Test Finder to help people easily find their nearest testing services;
- expanded testing through new and innovative approaches, such as outreach, extension of opening hours, walk-in testing services, integrated testing for multiple infections, rapid testing and self-testing;
- capacity-building activities, such as trainings for health staff on HIV and hepatitis testing, including indicator condition-guided HIV testing; and
- advocacy activities to address structural issues affecting access to and uptake of testing, such as policies, guidelines and funding priorities.
A variety of materials to promote European Testing Week are available on the campaign website, including logos in different languages, web banners and more.