Today is National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NGMHAAD), an observance that reminds us that HIV continues to take a heavy toll on gay and bisexual men across the United States. Even after more than 30 years of AIDS, this community remains at the center of the U.S. epidemic.
Men who have sex with men (MSM) represent 2% of the U.S. population but more than 60% of new infections and half of all Americans living with HIV. Rates of new HIV diagnoses among MSM in the United States are more than 44 times that of other men. Especially at risk are young MSM (ages 13-24 years), the only risk group where new infections are increasing, with a 22% increase in recent years. Young Black MSM are most affected accounting for 55% of new infections among YMSM overall.
Since 2010 and the White House release of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) followed by the implementation plan, we have continued to follow the road map to reduce new HIV infections, increase access to care, improve health outcomes for persons living with HIV, and address HIV-related health disparities. Last week, senior leaders from across HHS agencies, including CDC, took part in a public meeting to review progress toward achieving the goals of NHAS. There is much good news.
At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we play a role in these efforts to help maximize the effectiveness of current HIV prevention methods through a High-Impact Prevention approach. This public health approach ensures resources are directed to activities that will have the greatest impact on reducing HIV among gay and bisexual men and other populations, as well as reaching people living with HIV and their partners.
