Research has shown that many MSM who know
they are infected with HIV change their
behaviors to lower their risk of
transmitting the virus. Therefore,
encouraging more people to know their HIV
serostatus, through increased HIV testing,
can help decrease HIV transmission.
However, some MSM who know they are
HIV-positive and many MSM who are unaware of
their HIV serostatus continue to engage in
behaviors that place themselves and their
partners at risk for HIV infection.
Therefore, prevention efforts must be
strengthened and reevaluated to address the
ongoing challenge of HIV/AIDS among MSM.
CDC offers interventions that have been
proven effective for MSM. These
interventions can be tailored to various
audiences, such as African American or
Hispanic MSM.
- Many Men, Many Voices
is a group STD/HIV prevention intervention
for gay men of color and MSM who do not see
themselves as gay or bisexual.
- Mpowerment presents HIV
prevention, safer sex, and
risk-reduction messages in a
community-building format for young MSM.
-
Popular Opinion Leader brings
together and trains key opinion leaders
to encourage safer sex as the norm in
their social networks of MSM.
-
Healthy Relationships develops
the skills and self-efficacy of people
living with HIV/AIDS.
- Peers Reaching
Out and Modeling Intervention Strategies
(PROMISE) uses peers (including MSM who
do not see themselves as gay) to help
people adopt practices to reduce or
eliminate risk factors for HIV
infection.
CDC is also conducting research to test new
interventions for MSM and to improve access
to HIV testing for MSM who are unaware of
their HIV serostatus.
In 2005, CDC provided 23 awards to
community-based organizations that focus
primarily on MSM. Of these 23 awards, 55 are for work with African Americans, 36% for
work with Hispanics, 1% for work with Asians
and Pacific Islanders, and 8% for work with
whites. In addition to directly funding CBOs,
CDC also provides funding for prevention
through state, territorial and local health
departments.
|