CDC 5/09 - re: HIV infections among young gay men, young gay men of color.

[pinto]

I work in the field. This is a "heads up" from the CDC on newly reported HIV cases. "In 2006, an estimated 56,300 people in the United States became infected with HIV. Of these, 34% — or approximately 19,000 — were adolescents or young adults aged 13–29 years." If this is pertinent for you and yours, please pass it on. None of us want to see another generation saddled with HIV. Thanks. ~ pinto

http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/sexualbehaviors/pdf/hiv_factsheet_ymsm.pdf

Overview

HIV/AIDS affects certain groups of young people disproportionately.

The burden of HIV infection falls disproportionately on certain groups of young people, including young men who have sex with men (YMSM) and youth of color.

• More than half (54%) of all cases of HIV infection or AIDS among young people aged 13–24 during 2003–2006* were from male-to-male sexual contact. Thirty-four percent were from heterosexual contact.

• Seventy percent of all HIV/AIDS diagnoses among youth aged 13–19 in 2006 were among black youth, even though blacks represented only 17% of the population in that age group.

• Of all YMSM, young black men who have sex with men (MSM) bear the greatest burden. More than twice as many black MSM aged 13–24 were diagnosed with HIV infection or AIDS in 2006* as their white or Hispanic counterparts.

• Black and Hispanic MSM are more likely to become infected at a younger age (13–29 years), whereas white MSM are more likely to become infected when they are older (30–39 years).

HIV/AIDS has increased most among YMSM, especially young men of color.

• From 2001 through 2006, male-to-male sex was the largest HIV transmission category in the United States* and the only one associated with an increasing number of HIV/AIDS diagnoses.3

• Of all age groups of MSM, HIV/AIDS cases increased most among YMSM aged 13–24 (Figure 1).

• Among YMSM aged 13–24, young black MSM had the most dramatic increase in diagnoses—from 938 cases in 2001 to 1,811 cases in 2006, an increase of 93%.

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The reasons for these disparities are varied and not well understood.

The reasons for continued high HIV/AIDS rates among YMSM are multiple and complex. Possible factors include the following:

• The alarming percentage of young HIV-infected MSM who do not know they are infected. In one recent study, 77% of young, urban MSM aged 15–29 who tested HIV-positive as part of the study mistakenly believed they were not infected. The percentage was even higher for young black HIV-infected MSM, 90% of whom did not know their infection status.4 People who don’t know they are infected might be less likely to take measures to keep from spreading the virus to others.

• Failure to reach MSM with effective HIV interventions or prevention education. A CDC study of MSM in 15 cities found that 80% had not been reached in the past year by HIV interventions known to be most effective. In addition, sex education programs that exclude information about sexual orientation or ignore issues in the lives of sexual minority youth might not be effective in preventing HIV transmission among those students.

• Unintended consequences of successful treatment. Improved treatment for HIV infection has helped many people with HIV infection live longer and healthier lives. An unintended consequence of this success is that younger MSM, who did not witness the toll of AIDS in the early years of the epidemic, might view HIV infection as less dangerous and more treatable, leading them to become complacent about risks.

• Use of alcohol and illegal drugs. Alcohol, methamphetamine, and other “party drug” use is prevalent among some YMSM and can lead to risky sexual behavior.

• Elevated rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among MSM. Having an STD can raise the risk of HIV infection by two- to fivefold. STDs also appear to increase the risk of transmitting HIV to sex partners.

• Mental health consequences of stigma and discrimination. Bullying, harassment, family disapproval, social isolation, and sexual violence—which are experienced frequently by sexual minority youth—can lead to feelings of shame and poor self-concept. This can lead to higher rates of emotional distress, suicide attempts, substance use, and risky sexual behavior.

<snip>

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Division of Adolescent and School Health
www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth
May 2009

http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/sexualbehaviors/pdf/hiv_factsheet_ymsm.pdf

[kenny blankenship]

1. figures like these are why political pandering to homophobia draws intense criticism

The rapid increase in HIV/AIDS cases among minority men is alarming news, but the fact that HIV disproportionately impacts minority communities is not news at all. It's a story old as HIV itself. Nor is it a big mystery why this the case. Lack of educational resources to begin with, compounded by the stigma of homosexuality in minority communities which in turn impedes calls for better resources.

Denial in our communities preserves ignorance, ignorance spreads the virus. Coddling homophobic denial in our political outreach does NO favors to the community being pandered to. "I prayed the gay away" is no kind of an answer to the lethal arithmetic posted above.