The term men who have sex with men (MSM) refers to all men who have sex with other men, regardless of how they identify themselves (gay, bisexual, or heterosexual). In the United States, HIV and AIDS have had a tremendous impact on MSM. Consider these facts: AIDS has been diagnosed for more than half a million MSM. Almost 300,000 MSM with AIDS have died during the past 20 years. MSM made up about two thirds of all men living with HIV in 2004, even though only about 5% to 7% of men in the United States reported having sex with other men. In a 2005 study, 46% of African American MSM were HIV-postitive.
Since HIV/AIDS in MSM was first diagnosed 1981, gay and bisexual men have been leaders in dealing with the challenges of the epidemic. Gay organizations and activists, through their work, have contributed greatly to many of the guidelines for prevention, treatment, and the care of people living with HIV/AIDS.
For complex reasons, HIV/AIDS continues to take a high toll on the MSM population. For example, the number of new HIV/AIDS cases among MSM in 2004 was 8% more than the number of cases in 2003. It is unclear whether this increase is due to more testing or to an increase in the number of HIV infections. Whatever the reasons, in 2004, MSM still accounted for about 51% of all new HIV/AIDS cases and 70% of cases in male adults and adolescents.
CDC National STD Hotline: 1-800-342-2437 (English) and (Spanish)
Please get tested!
Hazte la prueba del VIH!
