June 27, 2008 |
Contacts:
Krishna Stone, 212.367.1016
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GMHC CALLS FOR ACTION TO ADDRESS SHOCKING INCREASES
IN HIV AMONG GAY MEN, ESPECIALLY YOUNG BLACK MEN
New York, NY/June 27, 2008 — The CDC has reported alarming trends in HIV/AIDS diagnoses among men who have sex with men (MSM) in an MMWR review of epidemiology in 33 states for the period of 2001 to 2006. The CDC reported that the number of HIV/AIDS diagnoses among MSM overall during 2001-2006 increased 8.6%.
Most disturbing are the reported trends among MSM of color. From 2001-2006, a 12.4% increase in HIV/AIDS among all black MSM was observed, but the increase among black MSM aged 13-24 was 93.1% and among Asian/Pacific Islander MSM aged 13-24 the increase was 255.6%.
These national data are unfortunately consistent with trends seen in New York City, where black and Latino MSM make up 77% of new infections in young MSM.
"These CDC statistics demonstrate once again that we are in a state of emergency in relation to the lives of gay men of color." said Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC). "The CDC report emphasizes that HIV testing and prevention programs should be 'strengthened, improved, and implemented more broadly.' Yet these recommendations must be backed up with increases in funding by the CDC, and City and State Departments of Health. We must also implement comprehensive sex education and gay-affirming interventions in schools. These interventions are proven to decrease new infections among gay men.
GMHC has fought to redirect millions of dollars in federal funding from failed abstinence-only-until-marriage education to comprehensive sex education. GMHC and other groups have also pushed for increased prevention funding at CDC. Under the Bush-Cheney administration, funding for prevention at CDC has dropped 19% in real dollar terms, even as the domestic AIDS epidemic has worsened.
"These alarming new statistics reinforce the need for a National AIDS Strategy and a renewed focus on domestic HIV prevention," said Dr. Hill.
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About Gay Men's Health Crisis
Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. We provide services and programs to over 15,000 men, women and families that are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in New York City, and outreach and education to hundreds of thousands throughout the world.
© 2008 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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