Since the first cases of AIDS were reported in five gay men in 1981, public health professionals around the world have been working to prevent the spread of HIV, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM). The epidemic still takes a great toll on this population, who make up about 2% of the overall U.S. population and 61% of all new HIV infections in 2009. Moreover, MSM with a history of injection drug use accounted for an additional 3% of new infections in 2009.

In recognition of National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be hosting a webinar on September 25, 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. EDT that will include presentations by CDC scientists and partners on their efforts to curb the HIV/AIDS epidemic among gay and bisexual men. Presenters will discuss innovative, HIV prevention programs and interventions-- helping to address HIV-and AIDS-related inequities among MSM. Presentation topics will include:

• Health inequities among HIV-infected MSM
• Demonstration projects encouraging gay and bisexual men to stay in medical care
• Health campaigns encouraging HIV testing and addressing HIV stigma among MSM of color
• HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) use in gay and bisexual men

In addition, Dr. Kevin Fenton, Director of CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, will provide a commentary on CDC’s recent community engagement sessions, in which, we met with leaders and staff from community-based organizations and health departments, as well as, local stakeholders and community members—mostly MSM of color—in 6 U.S. cities. These sessions were quite informative and will allow us to better support more innovative and culturally competent approaches—such as, those highlighted in this webinar.

National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was founded by The National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA) in 2008 and is held every year on September 27th. The goal of the observance is to raise awareness about the impact of the HIV epidemic on U.S. gay and bisexual men.

I hope you will join in and take the opportunity to ask questions during the webinar. Please visit our linkExit Disclaimer to register.