HIV/AIDS and Men Who Have Sex with Men

Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) are the group at highest risk of HIV/AIDS infection

• MSM continue to account for the largest number of people reported with AIDS each year.

• In 2006 alone, more than 13,700 AIDS cases were reported among MSM, compared with more than 5,200 among injection drug users and more than 7,800 among men and women who acquired HIV through heterosexual contact.

• As of December 2006, the Centers for Disease Control reported that MSM accounted for 54 percent of all diagnosed AIDS cases among men (429,897 out of 791,626).

• Research suggests that some young MSM are less concerned about becoming infected and are more inclined to take risks.

- Data show high levels of risky behavior by young men of all races.

(A CDC study found that 41 percent of young MSM had engaged in unprotected anal intercourse in the previous six months.)

HIV is increasing especially among minority MSM

• The CDC reports that 48 percent of HIV infections in MSM were among men of color in 2006.

• In a sample of MSM 15-22 years old in seven urban areas, seven percent were already infected with HIV, and a disproportionate number of them were African-American or Latino.

• Data indicate 30 percent of young African-American gay men are HIV-positive.
  
  
• This increase is mainly attributed to two factors:

- Initial prevention efforts were produced by and focused on white gay men.

- African-American and Latino men are less likely to identify themselves as gay or bisexual, thereby hindering prevention practices or services from reaching these populations.

Sources:

AIDS ACTION, “Current HIV/AIDS Trends Among Men Who Have Sex with Men”

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Surveillance Report, Vol. 18