Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

AIDS groups ask CDC to change reporting methods
From a press release
2013-12-19

This article shared 3082 times since Thu Dec 19, 2013
facebook twitter google +1 reddit email


Seeking the spotlight of World AIDS Day, CDC released a report in their Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report ( MMWR ) focused on gay, bisexual and other MSM ( men who have sex with men ) in the United States — the population that remains both disproportionately affected by HIV and drastically underserved by federal HIV/AIDS prevention resources.

The press release for the report, headlined "Sexual risk lower among U.S. gay and bisexual men who accurately know their HIV status," provides a constructive and accurate emphasis on the success of gay and bisexual men who know their HIV status. Thus, it delivers an encouraging message about the importance of HIV testing.

However, the full MMWR article is quite different in its messaging and emphasis, skewing sharply to language that could encourage sexual stigma and blaming.

Both documents use increasingly antiquated language on risk, miss the opportunity to take a bold and scientifically-validated stance on systems change to facilitate more frequent HIV testing for bisexual and gay men, and does not clarify if transgender women are included in the historically-confusing category of MSM.

We urge CDC to take this opportunity to re-evaluate language, methods and recommendations regarding the sexuality and HIV prevention practices of gay, and bisexual men and other MSM.

We look forward to further dialogue with you on these and other issues:

1 ) "Unprotected anal sex" and "unprotected discordant anal sex" are the key terms for looking at sexual behavior across the three years of the NHBS cohort.

However, these terms have grown increasingly non-specific, or even inaccurate, in the current landscape of HIV prevention and the parameters of sexual decision-making by gay men, other MSM and their partners.

Insertive anal sex and receptive anal sex are distinct acts with very different levels of risk — a spectrum of risk that is further broadened through widespread sero-adaptive practices. In addition, the use of virally-suppressive HIV treatment is a relevant factor in accurate risk assessment and sexual decision-making.

In the report, unprotected is used to refer to the non-use of condoms. However it does not mean that sex occurred in an environment of heightened HIV risk. Although much of this data was collected before PrEP licensure, reports emerging today should use clearer language — such as "sex without condoms," rather than "unprotected."

These distinctions are neither political nor semantic. They are integral to reaching the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and curtailing the epidemic.

Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men and their partners need accurate information for sexual risk reduction. There are noted methodological models for data collection that effectively clarify and refine descriptions of sexual behavior that should be adopted across research conducted or supported by CDC.

2 ) We agree that increased HIV testing is a priority, and that "the data suggest that some men may benefit from more frequent testing."

However, we believe that "at least annual HIV testing" that is only to happen more frequently at provider discretion is insufficient in the current environment.

Once again, CDC has missed the opportunity to take a bold and data-supported stand in favor of more frequent HIV testing for all gay and bisexual men and other MSM. Sticking to the once-a-year standard, leaving it at providers' discretion to advocate for more frequent testing ( which many do ), is not warranted given the strong — and historically consistent — findings of behavior change by those who test positive as well as the recognized role of treatment as a prevention modality.

By formally recommending testing on a quarterly basis, CDC will encourage systemic changes that will result in more men learning earlier if they are infected and allowing them to make informed decisions about their health care and sexual practices. Individuals who tend to lag behind in testing with the recommended interval will be prompted to test more frequently.

A system that is set up to facilitate more frequent HIV testing is a resource not only for case-finding and entry into care, but also to support the use of PrEP, which requires testing every 3 months.

In addition, we support efforts at the time of testing that would help identify HIV negative men who would benefit from access to PrEP and other prevention interventions, and increased vigilance in opposing the stigma, discrimination and criminalization of those who test positive.

3 ) We urge a reconsideration of the reliability of venue-based sampling for the gay, bisexual and MSM cohort of the NHBS. CDC's own research, as well as that of others, has pointed to the significant shift of sexual networking and social structures to finding partners online, and to greater integration of young LGBT people in networks that are less segregated in terms of sexual orientation. Venues, if used, must be interpreted broadly to include a wide range of non-commercial and commercial spaces, and even digital space. Further, the highly urban-based sample continues to under-power for potential differences in rural and Southern populations of gay, bisexual and MSM, despite rising incidence and prevalence in the South and potentially significant differences in social and sexual structures in non-urban areas.

4 ) We continue to recommend that CDC clarify the inclusion or exclusion of transgender people in the NHBS, including the MSM cohort, and all other population research and HIV/AIDS cohorts and studies. While we anticipate and commend significant improvements in the collection and reporting of data on transgender people — including transgender women who evidence high rates of HIV where data is available — the press, policy-makers and the HIV/AIDS community must have clear information on how to interpret the conclusions of all data vis a vis transgender populations.

5 ) While we recognize that CDC does not control how the press communicates its policies and findings, we are concerned ( though not surprised ) that major news stories on the MMWR did not reflect the messaging of the press release. We encourage a coordinated and clear press strategy, including op-eds by top CDC officials and HIV/AIDS leaders, press briefings and other modalities, to eschew the biases that can come up in these stories. However, it is most important that CDC avail itself of all opportunities to ensure that the source documents, such as the MMWR itself, are free from overt or covert stigmatizing language in its descriptions, findings and areas of emphasis.

6 ) In an era of expanding prevention options, it is nonetheless imperative to continue to make condoms ( and safe, condom-compatible lube ) accessible and invest in prevention education for gay and bisexual men and other MSM to increase their capacity to meet their own goals for sexual health and safety.

While many gay men continue to use condoms frequently and consistently, we may be seeing gay men feeling more comfortable being honest about the challenges of condom use ( which are reflected in effectiveness rates cited by CDC ) — and must do whatever is possible to encourage this honesty and rejecting the stigma that may come towards those who speak up.

CDC must supply and encourage respectful, unbiased, and accurate data and messaging not only on male condoms but all HIV prevention technologies and practices, including sero-sorting and sero-positioning, that people are using to mitigate risk.

Increased knowledge and uptake of PrEP and PEP, sero-adaptation, and the development of integrated systems of care to facilitate their use will take significant resources and coordination, including education and training of primary care physicians.

7 ) The MMWR releases was a missed opportunity for CDC, along with federal partners, to reinforce the importance of essential services to support individuals who test positive across the HIV care continuum, and to articulate a cogent HHS-wide strategic approach to ensure that gay, bisexual and other MSM achieve viral suppression. As you know, the HIV Care Continuum is a planning model that identifies issues and opportunities for improving the service delivery of services and health outcomes for people living with HIV. As such, it is increasingly used by both government and non-governmental stakeholders. Helping individuals across the continuum of care achieve requires attention to psychosocial issues; identification, prevention and treatment of mental health and substance use disorder; provision of housing; efforts to mitigate HIV stigma, discrimination and criminalization; and employment opportunities and work force re-entry support for of HIV+ persons.

8 ) Finally, we stress that continued rigor is needed on the part of CDC, and its federal partners, to assure greater concordance between resource allocations and the populations most affected by HIV, including robust and up-to-date and affirming HIV prevention efforts by and for gay and bisexual men.

We come to you as partners for constructive dialogue and change. We look forward to engaging with you on these and other issues in order to ensure significant, necessary shifts in language, funding, research and communication practices in the year ahead.

Sincerely, the undersigned ( list in formation )*

ACT UP Philadelphia

AIDS Foundation of Chicago

Gay Men's Health Crisis ( GMHC )

Global Network of People Living with HIV, North America ( GNP+NA )

HIV Prevention Justice Alliance ( HIV PJA )

Housing Works

International Rectal Microbicide Advocates ( IRMA )

National Center for Transgender Equality ( NCTE )

Positive Women's Network - USA ( PWN-USA )

Sero Project

Transgender Law Center

Treatment Action Group

US People Living with HIV Caucus

Visual AIDS

* To join the list of endorsers, go to bit.ly/1kmeVPg .

Info:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV Testing and Risk Behaviors Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men — United States. MMWR 2013;62( 47 ); 958-962.

Please direct correspondence to Julie Davids of the HIV Prevention Justice Alliance ( HIV PJA ) and AIDS Foundation of Chicago: jdavids@aidschicago.org

See www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2013/p1127-World-HIV-AIDS-day.html , accessed 12/10/13.

See www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/transgender/ accessed December 17, 2013.


This article shared 3082 times since Thu Dec 19, 2013
facebook twitter google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

Howard Brown reaches tentative agreement with union after 1.5 years of contentious negotiations 2024-04-18
- Howard Brown Health has reached a tentative agreement with its union, after a year and a half of negotiations that included two workers strikes. The Illinois Nurses Association, which represents about 360 employees at Howard Brown ...


Gay News

David E. Munar reflects on Howard Brown leadership and new Columbus, Ohio post 2024-04-11
- On April 1, David E. Munar started his tenure as CEO of the Columbus, Ohio-based non-profit health system Equitas. The date marked the latest chapter for Munar, who previously helmed AIDS Foundation Chicago and, most recently, ...


Gay News

RUSH, others receive grant related to HIV prevention for Black women 2024-04-11
--From a press release - CHICAGO — RUSH, in collaboration with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, University of Chicago Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago and Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL), has been awarded ...


Gay News

HIV criminal laws disproportionately impact Black men in Mississippi 2024-02-21
--From a press release - A new report by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law finds that at least 43 people in Mississippi were arrested for HIV-related crimes between 2004 and 2021. Half of all arrests in the state ...


Gay News

'West Side Story' gets a sex-positive spin with new burlesque show 2024-02-19
- In partial observance of National Condom Day, which was Feb. 14, Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) presented A West Side Story Burlesque at the Harris Theater for two hour-long performances on Feb. 17. The show, ...


Gay News

$200,000+ raised at AIDS Foundation Chicago's World of Chocolate Fundraiser to fight HIV/AIDS 2024-02-13
--From a press release - (Chicago, IL) More than 950 guests gathered at Chicago's famed Union Station (500 W. Jackson) for Chicago's Sweetest Fundraiser, AIDS Foundation Chicago's (AFC), World of Chocolate on Friday, February 9. ...


Gay News

Munar prepares to step away from Howard Brown leadership 2024-02-11
- After 10 years of leadership at Howard Brown Health, President and CEO David Ernesto Munar has decided to step down from his post on Feb. 29. Munar, who'd previously been president and CEO of AIDS Foundation ...


Gay News

National Black Justice Coalition commemorates National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2024-02-07
--From a press release - WASHINGTON — Today, Feb. 7, marks National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD). In commemoration, Dr. David J. Johns, CEO of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), a leading Black LGBTQ+/same-gender ...


Gay News

NATIONAL Wis. report, gender dysphoria, HIV research, Stonewall exhibit, gay CEOs 2024-01-19
- A new annual report from Wisconsin's Office of Children's Mental Health shows that the state's minors—especially girls, children of color and LGBTQ+ youth—continue to struggle with anxiety, depression and thoughts ...


Gay News

WORLD Activist honored, marriages in Estonia, Madrid law, trans sports item 2024-01-05
Video below - The National AIDS Commission (NAC) recently honored Caleb Orozco—a leading figure in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Belize—for his instrumental contributions to the national HIV response, BNN reported. According ...


Gay News

SAVOR World of Chocolate, Jaleo and 'Superhot' 2023-12-31
- World of wonder: I am excited to announce that I will be a judge at AIDS Foundation Chicago's World of Chocolate fundraiser! Join me in sampling delicious chocolate from local chefs and help support a great ...


Gay News

PASSAGES Frankie Franklin-Foxx 2023-12-18
- Frankie Franklin-Foxx (born Waverlynn Franklin), a resident of Chicago's North Side, passed away peacefully Dec. 13 at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston. She was 68. Born at Cook County Hospital, Frankie graduated from South Shore High ...


Gay News

NATIONAL Dr. Rachel Levine, World AIDS Day, trans deaths, Philly bar art 2023-12-08
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama Liles C. Burke ruled that emails and other records from U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Rachel Levine are relevant to a lawsuit challenging Alabama's ban ...


Gay News

STRUT marks World AIDS Day with 14th Annual Fashion Show 2023-12-05
- On Dec. 3, John Fleming and Madman Productions presented the 14th annual STRUT fashion show at Joe's on Weed Street, 940 W. Weed St. As in previous years, the standing room only show was a fundraiser, ...


Gay News

World AIDS Day commemorated at AIDS Garden Chicago 2023-12-03
- On the rainy morning of Dec. 1, Chicago Parks Foundation and the AIDS Garden Chicago Board of Directors hosted a World AIDS Day commemoration at AIDS Garden Chicago, just south of Belmont Harbor on the Lakefront. ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor
Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.