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Today is National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

September 27 is National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NGMHAAD), an annual opportunity to call attention to the disproportionate effect of the epidemic on gay and bisexual men, and to acknowledge the contributions they have made to the fight against HIV and AIDS.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), gay and bisexual men make up approximately half of the 1.1 million people living with HIV in the U.S. Since the beginning of the epidemic more than 300,000 gay/bisexual men with AIDS have died.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) account for about 60% of all new HIV infections in the U.S. each year. MSM -- and especially young gay men and gay men of color -- are the only group with a rising incidence. Between 2008 and 2010, new infections rose by 12% overall in this group and by 22% among gay men age 13-24 years.

Despite the high prevalence and incidence of HIV among MSM, one recent study of gay men in 20 U.S. cities found that one-third who tested HIV positive were previously unaware they were infected.

Men who have sex with men bear a disproportionate burden of the epidemic on a global level as well. In many countries homophobia, stigma, and discrimination make it more difficult for gay men to access HIV prevention services and care.

NGMHAAD Resources:

• AIDS.gov: National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day;
• CDC: National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day;
• CDC: HIV and AIDS among Gay and Bisexual Men (fact sheet);
• Twitter hashtag #NGMHAAD.

9/27/13

Source

CDC. HIV and AIDS Among Gay and Bisexual Men (fact sheet).