Men aged 40 years and older are more likely to have HIV than men aged 18–39 2.
Undiagnosed or untreated STIs may increase the risk of both acquiring and transmitting HIV. The CDC recommends that all sexually active MSM be tested annually for these STIs 8. For sexually active MSM, the most effective ways to prevent HIV and many other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, are to avoid unprotected anal sex and always use condoms 7. Unprotected receptive anal sex is the sexual behavior that carries the highest risk for HIV acquisition 6.
Negative attitudes about homosexuality (including complacency), discriminatory acts, and bullying and violence can make it difficult for some MSM to be open about same-sex behaviors with others, which can increase stress, limit social support, and negatively affect health. Stigma, homophobia, and discrimination put MSM of all races and ethnicities at risk for multiple physical and mental health problems and affect whether MSM seek and obtain high-quality health services 4.Persons who do not know they have HIV do not get medical care and can unknowingly infect others. Low awareness of HIV status among young MSM may reflect several factors: recent infection, underestimation of personal risk, fewer opportunities to get tested, or belief that HIV treatment minimizes their risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV 2 – 3. Many black/African American MSM with HIV, particularly young MSM, are unaware of their HIV infection 2.This higher prevalence of HIV infection among MSM leads to a higher possibility of transmission, even with similar frequency of risk behaviors as other populations. Black/African American MSM and MSM of other races and ethnicities have an increased chance of being exposed to HIV because of the larger number of MSM living with HIV.These and other factors place black/African American MSM at higher risk for HIV. However, black/African American MSM of all ages experience racial disparities in health and are more likely than other gay and bisexual men of other races/ethnicities to encounter broader social and economic barriers 1. Published research does not provide definitive answers about why new HIV infections among young, black/African American gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) have increased. Factors Contributing to Increase in HIV Infections among Black MSM Guided by the National HIV/AIDS Strategy external icon for the United States, the CDC and its partners are pursuing a high-impact prevention approach to reducing new HIV infections by using combinations of scientifically proven, cost-effective, and scalable interventions directed to the most vulnerable populations in the geographic areas where HIV prevalence is highest.