Contemporary Sexuality - December 2008 - (Page 4)

HIV continued from page 1 “Some data suggest teens view HIV as being a problem for older men and not so much of a problem for them. Also, as people begin their first sexual relationship, sex is often not anticipated and planned. Sometimes, youth are just not prepared to protect themselves in the heat of the moment.” — Richard Wolitski, PhD of new infections, heterosexuals account for 31 percent of new infections and injection drug users represent 12 percent of new infections.) According to a September CDC Fact Sheet analysis of data reported in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: • “There were more new HIV infections in young black MSM (aged 13-29) than any other age/racial group of MSM. The number of new infections among young black gay and bisexual men was roughly twice that of whites and Hispanics. • White MSM accounted for close to half (46%) of HIV incidence in 2006. Most new infections among white MSM occurred in those aged 30-39 … followed by those aged 40-49. • Among Hispanic MSM, most new infections occurred in the youngest (13-29) age group … though a substantial number of new HIV infections were among those aged 30-39.” Understanding why infection rates are rising The spate of bad news hasn’t gone unnoticed in Atlanta, where Richard Wolitski, PhD, works as acting director of the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention at the CDC. “This is a wake-up call for the nation,” Wolitski says. “We need to do more as individuals, as a community and a nation.” Asked why more gay men were contracting the disease, Wolitski cited several factors, including the failure of HIV prevention programs to educate MSMs. A recent CDC study found that 80 percent of gay and bisexual men in 15 cities hadn’t received an “intensive HIV prevention intervention” in the past year. “We’re not reaching all the men that are at risk,” Wolitski says. On the subject of younger gay men, “Some data suggest teens view HIV as being a problem for older men and not so much of a problem for them,” Wolitski says. “Also, as people begin their first sexual relationship, sex is often not anticipated and planned. Sometimes, youth are just not prepared to protect themselves in the heat of the moment.” And even when they are prepared, they need to have the skills to negotiate safe sex with their partners. Siegel, the HIV-positive man who contracted the disease as a teenager, had a condom and asked his partner that he use it. “I knew enough to suggest a condom, but I did not have an adequate understanding of the importance of using one and even if I had more reasons to use a condom, I had no idea how to discuss conRichard Wolitski doms with my partner,” he says. “The abstinenceonly message did not prepare me for life.” Siegel made his comments to the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in April. Today, the 24-year-old is working as an HIV counselor at Native Health Services in Tempe, Arizona. Although he agrees with Wolitski that prevention interventions need to reach more people, Siegel believes teenagers understand HIV can happen to them. “That’s an argument people who aren’t young love to make,” Siegel says. “I’ve never diagnosed a young person [as HIV-positive] that is like, ‘Oh, well.’” HIV infections up 15 percent annually for young black men One of the groups with the highest rates of new infections are young black men. Between 2001-2006, HIV infections increased 8 percent for young Hispanics, 9 percent for young whites and 15 percent for young blacks. “When you see a 15 percent yearly increase, that is an epidemic that is out of control,” said Phil Wilson of the Black AIDS Institute in an interview with the Washington Post. “And yet we don’t see a response that recognizes it is an epidemic out of control.” The CDC lists several possible reasons for the high rates of infection among young black men, including “stigma, lack of access to effective HIV 4 Contemporary Sexuality www.aasect.org | December 2008 Vol. 42, No. 12 http://www.aasect.org

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Contemporary Sexuality - December 2008 Contents Member Profile Book Reviews News of Members Quck Hits: Sex in the News Educational Opportunities

Contemporary Sexuality - December 2008

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