Gay Men Still at Disproportionate Risk for HIV and STDs

June 23, 2008

For immediate release

Hawthorne, NY - Today AIDS-Related Community Services (ARCS) unveils a new public service campaign promoting condom usage to combat disproportionate rates of sexually transmitted disease infections among men who have sex with men.

“Like many groups at high risk for HIV and STD infection, MSM (men having sex with men) constantly grapple with the need to protect their health versus the long-term emotional implications of using condoms,” said Trina Hiemcke, ARCS' Director of Education and Prevention.

This dilemma is borne out by recent national reports on HIV and STD infections among MSM. Research conducted at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that an increasing number of MSM engage in sexual behaviors that place them at risk for STDs and HIV infection. They reported that syphilis rates increased in 2007 for the seventh straight year, and MSM accounted for 64% of new cases.

The CDC also notes that 50% of new HIV infections are among MSM even though they make up only 5% to 7% of the adult and adolescent US male population. The largest proportional increase in the HIV infection rate among MSM occurred in the 13 to 24 age group. It is also estimated that one in four HIV-positive individuals do not yet know they are infected, meaning that the numbers of HIV-positive MSM could be even higher.

The Westchester County Department of Health's Division of Disease Control reports that in 2006, 65% of all chlamydia cases among males occurred in young men under the age of 24. It's a similar story with gonorrhea: 53% of male cases occurred among men under the age of 24, and accounted for 24% of all reported cases. Young men aged 24 and under made up the largest percentage of total patients who visited county STD clinics that year.

In response to this trend, ARCS secured a grant from the NYS Department of Health AIDS Institute to encourage young MSM to protect themselves by wearing condoms. Billboard ads placed in MetroNorth train stations on the Harlem and New Haven lines in Westchester and Putnam feature a suggestive slogan meant to read like a personal ad. “Condoms must be a consistent part of your sex life,” Hiemcke said. “Constantly worrying about HIV and STDs can be draining, but one way you can help reduce your worries is to reduce your risk factors.” ARCS chose to place the ads along commuter railways because “that's where these young men are at. We know from years of working with this population that young gay men who live here in the suburbs often work and socialize in New York City .” Hiemcke explained.

ARCS offers free, confidential HIV testing at its Hawthorne location (40 Saw Mill River Road ) or on its mobile van by appointment. To schedule an appointment, call (914) 345-8888. To view samples of ARCS' condom use campaign and get more information on HIV and STDs, visit www.arcs.org.

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For more information on ARCS' HIV prevention programs, contact J. Dewey at (914) 785 -8326 or jdewey @arcs.org.

View our online component of this campaign

Date Posted: June 23, 2008