To the Editor.— Shortly after the Food and Drug Administration licensed thetubeenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing, the Centers for Disease Control made funds available for the development and implementation of "alternate testing sites." The goal of the program was to protect the nation's blood supply by providing individuals with an anonymous HIV counseling and testing service outside the blood bank system. 1 The first anonymous HIV counseling and testing site in New York State opened in mid-1985. Starting in January 1986, all persons tested were asked to complete a blinded questionnaire that collected data on demographics and HIV risk behaviors. 2 Between the inception of the program and December 1987, the results of 17 724 tests were provided to clients in Upstate New York (ie, New York State exclusive of New York City), with a seropositivity rate of 7.6%. However, that rate varied from 14.5%