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Mark

USCA and Models to end the epidemic? OK, according to the CDC and a recent call regarding the National Gay Mens HIV/AIDS Awareness day, Gay men and other MSM make up only 2% of the US population, yet represent 60% of all HIV cases!!! 60%! Yet the overwhelming majority of all of the topics to be presented and discused at the USCA are about WOMEN? Seriously? If we are serious about ending HIV, we need to get over our homophobia and gender biases. If this were the Breast Cancer conference and all of our topics were on men, do you think their community would stand for it? Let's stop being politically correct. Let's stop placating. Sure, women deserve comprehensive HIV prevention and care services--but NOT in a manner to which these services are over-represented by their % of cases--AND we have Part D??? I'm sorry if people don't like to hear it--but HIV/AIDS is about MEN. It's about male sexual health; male sexuality and the enourmous health disparity reflected in gender, race and orientation. Let's quit appologizing and get back to providing effective prevention strategies based on male sexual health and sexuality--provided by MEN who understand this. Let's get back to providing care access immediately for men and having a case management service that doesn't see us as vectors of disease, but provides services in a culterally appropriate manner for MEN! Oh--and treatment as prevention?? Sure it can be effective, but putting aside prevention efforts utilizing effective interventions designed by men--for men, based on male sexuality and it's expressions just because they are difficult is NOT a good prevention strategy. HAART adherance happens AFTER the infection. Why is this so hard?

September 26, 2012