via CDC
National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a national effort founded by the National Association for People with AIDS to raise awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic among gay men.
Gay Men and HIV/AIDS
Men who have sex with men (MSM) remain among the most affected by HIV. While MSM represent approximately 2% of the U.S. population, they accounted for 64% of all new HIV infections in 2009.
Over the past 30 years, since the first cases of AIDS were reported in five gay men, many advances related to HIV research, prevention, treatment, and health equity have been made. Prevention efforts have helped reduce new infections, and treatment advances have allowed people with HIV to live longer, healthier lives. Gay and bisexual men have often been at the forefront of these efforts. Many have been instrumental in raising awareness about the public health impact of HIV/AIDS, shaping the HIV/AIDS research agenda, and ensuring that research is well funded.
More Frequent Testing
Knowledge of one's status and linkage to care and treatment are of upmost importance. Although HIV testing has been recommended at least annually for people with ongoing risks for HIV, recent data suggest that high-risk MSM should be tested more frequently. CDC guidance currently recommends more frequent testing for MSM who have multiple or anonymous partners, who have sex in conjunction with illicit drug use, or whose partners participate in these activities.
The data confirm the need for more frequent testing. In National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System (NHBS), 45% of those with undiagnosed HIV infection had been tested within the previous 12 months, and 29% within the previous six months. Based on these findings, sexually-active MSM might benefit from more frequent HIV testing (e.g., every three to six months). CDC is using NGMHAAD as an opportunity to highlight this information for gay men and their health care providers.
High Impact Prevention
Reducing the impact of HIV among gay and bisexual men remains a top CDC priority and demands that we target our efforts and expand our reach. To maximize every dollar and prevent the greatest number of new infections, CDC is pursuing High Impact Prevention activities to reach the aggressive goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS).
Specifically, the goal to increase the proportion of HIV diagnosed gay and bisexual men with undetectable viral load by 20% by 2015. To meet this goal, CDC is working with prevention partners to implement programs for gay and bisexual men, ranging from behavioral interventions, treatment and education efforts for Prevention with Positives (PWPs), testing initiatives, and social marketing campaigns.
Specifically, the goal to increase the proportion of HIV diagnosed gay and bisexual men with undetectable viral load by 20% by 2015. To meet this goal, CDC is working with prevention partners to implement programs for gay and bisexual men, ranging from behavioral interventions, treatment and education efforts for Prevention with Positives (PWPs), testing initiatives, and social marketing campaigns.
For example, CDC is launching a new campaign, "Testing Makes Us Stronger," for black MSM at highest risk for HIV. Previewed at the 2011 National HIV Prevention Conference, this campaign is the latest phase of CDC's five-year, multi-faceted communication campaign, Act Against AIDS.
What Can You Do?
- Get tested for HIV. To find a testing site near you, visit hivtest.org, text your zip code to Know IT (566948), or call 1-800-CDC-INFO
- If you are living with HIV, make sure you get life-extending care and treatment and learn how to prevent transmission to others
- Find out about HIV/AIDS and other health issues that affect gay men
- Speak out against stigma, homophobia, racism, and other forms of discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS
- Donate time and/or money to HIV/AIDS organizations
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