Assessing HIV testing and linkage to care activities and providing academic support to public health authorities in Houston, TX.

Background: Health departments often have little knowledge of HIV testing and linkage activities outside of those they directly fund. Many health departments also have limited access to outside academic expertise.

Methods: We conducted a survey of health organizations in the Houston/Harris County region to determine the number of HIV tests completed in 2011, activities that organizations conducted to promote linkage to care for persons newly diagnosed with HIV, and barriers to linkage to care.