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National Gay Men’s HIV + AIDS Awareness Day is observed annually on September 27 to direct attention to the ongoing and disproportionate impact of human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) on gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States.

The CDC estimates that gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) represent approximately 2% of the US population; however, according to figures from the CDC gay and bisexual men are the population most affected by HIV in the United States. In 2016, MSM accounted for 67% of the 40,324 new HIV diagnoses in the United States and 6 dependent areas. And in 2017, MSM accounted for 66% of all new diagnoses, including 3% who were also persons who inject drugs. Approximately 492,000 sexually active gay and bisexual men are at high risk for HIV; however, we have more tools to prevent HIV than ever before.

Young black MSM continue to bear the heaviest burden, accounting 43 percent of new HIV diagnoses among young MSM. In 2016, an estimated 36 percent of African-American gay and bisexual men diagnosed with HIV were aged 13-24. MSM who were black or African-American and MSM aged less than 25 years were less likely to be linked to care within one month of HIV diagnosis compared with other racial/ethnic and age groups. Among MSM living with diagnosed HIV at year-end 2014, 74 percent received any care, 58 percent were retained in care, and 61 percent had achieved viral suppression. Retention in care and viral suppression were low in all MSM, particularly black or African-American MSM.

However, there are signs of progress. The CDC reports that new HIV diagnoses have remained stable in recent years among gay and bisexual men overall. CDC data also shows that HIV infections are falling among some age and racial and ethnic groups of gay and bisexual men. New tools like PrEP and PEP are also proving critical in stopping the spread of HIV in high-risk communities. And with news of HIV vaccine trials on the horizon, there is a lot to be hopeful for.

National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a time to focus on the impact of HIV + AIDS on gay and bisexual men. Take a moment to listen to the pdcast above that shares the powerful story of 2 gay men living with HIV in New York whose experiences span the decades of the HIV + AIDS pandemic. Their stories are revelatory, impactful, and remind us that there is still so much to do to ultimately reach zero transmissions.

About Cascade AIDS Project

CAP is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1985 as a grassroots response to the AIDS crisis. As the oldest and largest community-based HIV services provider in Oregon and southwest Washington, we seek to support and empower all people with or affected by HIV, reduce stigma, and provide the LGBTQ+ community with compassionate healthcare. We do so by helping to ensure the health and well-being of our program participants each year through health, housing, and other social services. When the need for affordable, accessible, and culturally affirming primary care services was identified as a community need, we responded by opening Prism Health in 2017.  More information can be found at www.capnw.org.