Treatment GuideJust DiagnosedSex & DatingAfrican AmericanStigmaAsk the HIV DocPrEP En EspañolNewsVoicesPrint IssueVideoOut 100
CONTACTCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today released data from a study that found almost one in five gay men (19%) in 21 major cities are infected with HIV and nearly half (44%) are unaware of their infection.
"This alarming new data provides further evidence that prevention efforts for gay men have not been adequate to meet the growing epidemic and should be dramatically scaled up if we are going to prevent HIV infections in our country," says Carl Schmid, deputy executive director of AIDS Institute. "The severity of the impact of HIV in the gay community is nothing new. What has been missing is an appropriate response by our government -- at the federal, state, and local levels -- and the gay community itself."
The Obama administration released its National HIV/AIDS Strategy this year, recognizing 53% of all HIV infections in the United States are among gay and bisexual men. The strategy says that "the United States cannot reduce the number of HIV infections nationally without better addressing HIV among gay and bisexual men." It also recommends that "given the starkness and the enduring nature of the disparate impact on gay and bisexual men, it is important to significantly reprioritize resources and attention to this community."
Despite the long history of HIV infection among gay men, there still are only a handful of approved behavioral interventions for men who have sex with men and even fewer targeted for a specific race or ethnicity. The CDC, by its own admission, experts point out, has indicated its prevention expenditures do not match the level needed for gay men compared to other populations. Further, a resource allocation model developed by the CDC concludes that if the level of incidence in the United States is to decrease, more resources need to be focused on gay men and other MSM.
Additionally, the study found:
> While MSM of all races and ethnicities were severely affected, black MSM were particularly impacted (28% were infected, compared to 18% of Hispanic MSM and 16% of white MSM).
> Black MSM were less likely than others to be aware of their HIV infection (59% unaware versus 46% for Hispanic MSM and 26% for white MSM).
> Young MSM -- especially young MSM of color -- were far less likely than older men to realize they were HIV-infected. Among those under age 30 who were infected, nearly two thirds (63%) were unaware of their HIV status.
“With September 27 being National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, we hope it will serve as a reminder of the severe toll HIV has had and continues to have on the gay community,” says Michael Ruppal, executive director of AIDS Institute. “We also hope it will remind governments at all levels to recommit to investing greater resources and attention to gay men.
The study results, which are from the CDC's National HIV Behavioral Surveillance system, were released in the September 24 edition of the “Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.”
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Before AIDS, gay artist Rex drew hot men on the prowl — then he disappeared
April 11 2024 3:15 PM
Diets that mimic fasting reverse aging: study
March 07 2024 5:28 PM
PrEP without a prescription now a reality in California
February 06 2024 8:37 PM
Injectable HIV treatment, prevention: Everything you need to know
March 26 2024 3:28 PM
8 dating tips for gay men from a gay therapist
March 21 2024 2:50 PM
Happy national foreskin day!
April 04 2024 1:45 PM
The science behind U=U has been liberating people with HIV for years
June 04 2024 3:31 PM
Scarlet fever: exploring our fascination with blood
March 13 2024 1:47 PM
On Anal Sex Day, crack up with The Bottom's Digest
April 18 2024 10:22 AM
Plus: Featured Video
Latest Stories
Activist and philanthropist Bruce Bastian dies at 76
June 26 2024 1:28 PM
Yes, HIV-positive people can safely breastfeed
June 26 2024 12:59 PM
Exclusive: We kiki with Q from 'RuPaul's Drag Race'
June 24 2024 11:37 AM
Court rules to keep PrEP coverage under Obamacare
June 21 2024 5:42 PM
In honor of Juneteenth 2024, meet The Normal Anomaly
June 19 2024 1:39 PM
What is Juneteenth?
June 19 2024 11:30 AM
As Pride party season begins, the CDC urges mpox vaccinations
May 16 2024 6:52 PM
Advocacy in action with AIDSWatch
May 09 2024 12:30 PM
The Talk: Thriving with HIV
May 08 2024 10:45 AM
The Talk: What HIV isn’t
May 07 2024 10:48 AM
The Talk: Finding balance with HIV
May 06 2024 10:51 AM
Justice Dept plans to reschedule marijuana as a lower-risk drug
May 03 2024 2:40 PM
The Talk: Starting your journey with HIV
May 03 2024 2:00 PM
Why is a mother’s mental health so important? A doctor explains
May 01 2024 1:38 PM
Walmart to close all of its health care clinics
April 30 2024 12:30 PM
Vampire facial spa infected several women with HIV
April 29 2024 7:26 PM