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Federal health officials will soon launch a study of strategies aimed at curbing the spread of HIV in high-incidence communities, the New York Times reports. The three-year study will evaluate the "test and treat" strategy, which involves routinely testing nearly every adult in a community and immediately beginning treatment for those testing positive for HIV. The test and treat method represents a broader shift toward using medicines for HIV to prevent infection. According to the New York Times, an infected individual who adheres to one of the standard three-drug regimens can significantly lower the level of the virus in the blood and other body fluids, often to undetectable levels. Although the study's ultimate goal is to determine whether such a strategy is effective in curbing the spread of the disease, the first phase of the study will seek to determine whether extension of such a program can be effectively executed in light of the multiple barriers to HIV testing and treatment. The study will launch in Washington, D.C., where as many as 5 percent of adults are currently HIV-positive, and the Bronx, which has the highest rate of AIDS-related mortality in New York City. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, between 20 percent and 25 percent of individuals in the United States who have HIV are unaware that they are infected. The CDC currently recommends voluntary HIV screenings as part of regular medical check-ups for individuals between age 13 and age 64, although health experts contend that few medical facilities follow these guidelines (Okie, New York Times, 10/27/09 [subscription required]).