Gay Men's Health Crisis commemorates National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (9/27)

National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NGMHAAD) on Thursday, September 27, helps to raise attention to the critical issues faced by gay and bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), who are living with and at risk of HIV.

Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its estimates of HIV incidence in the United States for the years 2006-2009. MSM represent approximately 2% of the US population, but accounted for 61% of new HIV infections in 2009. Blacks/African American represent approximately 14% of the US population, but accounted for 44% of new HIV infections in 2009. Hispanics/Latinos represent 16% of the US population, but accounted for 20% in 2009.

These estimates also markedly showed there was an estimated 21% increase in HIV incidence for people aged 13-29 years, driven by a 34% increase in young MSM--the only group to experience a significant increase in incidence in this age range. Among MSM aged 13-29, HIV incidence among black/African American MSM increased significantly (48%) from 2006 through 2009 with a 12.2% estimated annual percentage increase. 

"Gay men, especially those who are young and black, continue to face a serious uphill battle in the fight against HIV/AIDS," said Marjorie J. Hill Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of GMHC.  "We must develop more targeted and empowering HIV prevention messages, tailored to these populations."

GMHC recently launched a public service campaign, "Address the Stress around the Test," noting that staff members in the David Geffen Center for HIV Testing and Health Education offer stigma-free counseling about feelings such as fear, anxiety and shame that may be connected to taking the HIV test, and are sensitive to the particular issues about sex, relationships and health related to gay men (as well as heterosexual women).

Also for NGMHAAD, GMHC partnered with Amida Care to update our HIV prevention campaign “Kiss & Tell” initially targeting young black and Latino gay men, but now reaching older black and Latino gay men.

“At GMHC, we work with our clients and program participants to create social marketing campaigns that highlight our target populations with visual messages emphasizing they are important and they matter,” added Hill.

Gay Men's Health Crisis Commemorates National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day

National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (NHAAAD) on Tuesday, September 18 helps to raise attention to the critical issues faced by older people living with and at risk of HIV.

According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 75% of HIV-positive New Yorkers are now 40 and older, and more than a third are 50 or older.  Women over age 50 comprise a growing percentage of new HIV diagnoses among older adults.

By 2015, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that over half of the 1.2 million Americans living with HIV will be over the age of 50.  Yet our nation is not prepared for the medical and social implications of this growing population. Existing research on appropriate treatment is meager, and HIV and AIDS stigma are widespread among older communities. Moreover, the myth that older adults are not sexually active causes a serious barrier to prevention and care.

The United States needs to increase response to social services and research on aging with HIV, prevention programs geared towards older adults, as well as culturally competent training for care-providers.

"GMHC continues to highlight this trend and in 2010 issued a report, 'Growing Older With the Epidemic: Aging and HIV' to better emphasize solutions for this critical problem," said Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of GMHC.  "We remain committed to working with local and national leadership and our elected officials to address the complexities of HIV and aging."

In August, GMHC partnered with ACRIA (AIDS Community Research Initiative of America) and SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders) to host a satellite session titled, "HIV and Aging: The Challenge of the Epidemic's Fourth Decade," at the International AIDS Conference in Washington, DC.

GMHC recently launched a public service campaign, "HIV is Ageless," noting that regardless of a person's age, anyone can be at risk for HIV if they have unprotected sex or share needles, and encouraging people to seek free HIV testing at the GMHC Center for HIV Prevention, 224 West 29th Street.  

 

For NHAAAD, GMHC is also providing free HIV testing at the Senior Health Fair on Thursday, September 20, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Riverbank State Park, 145th Street and the Riverside Drive.

 

GMHC Congratulates the Empire State Pride Agenda on Their Selection of Nathan Schaefer as Their New Executive Director

photo courtesy of Empire State Pride Agenda

Gay Men's Health Crisis has been incredibly fortunate to have Nathan Schaefer serve as Director of Public Policy since 2008.  During his tenure, he has achieved great success such as spearheading the fight to lift the HIV travel and immigration ban, which allowed the International AIDS Conference to be held in the United States in 2012 for the first time in 20 years; and coalescing the coalition behind the new NYS HIV Testing law, legislation that will save lives by alerting people to their HIV status earlier and linking them to medical care and support services.  He has also been at the forefront of advocacy to revise Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines which prohibit gay and bisexual men from ever donating blood, building a diverse coalition of LGBT organizations, hemophilia groups and other groups concerned with blood safety and fairness, to push for much needed reform.

GMHC is confident that Nathan will do amazing work at the Empire State Pride Agenda.  They are smart to have chosen him, lucky to have him in the position and GMHC’s loss will be New York State’s gain.

 “I have proudly watched Nathan grow and evolve during his nearly five year tenure as our Director of Public Policy, states Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of GMHC.  “Nathan is a strong leader, passionate health advocate and innovative thinker. While sad to see him go, I am just thrilled that he will lead the Pride Agenda.”

“My years at GMHC helped me personally grow and professionally develop in profound ways,” said Nathan Schaefer. “GMHC will always have a special place in my heart.  I look forward to maintaining strong relationships with clients, volunteers and staff at GMHC.”

GMHC looks forward to partnering with Nathan and the Pride Agenda on our ongoing work to improve the lives of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, and to fight for LGBT equality and social justice. 

Dating and Fear in the Age of HIV: 'I'd Like to Sleep With You -- and I'm HIV-Positive'

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