The American Public Health Associations (APHA) annual conference, held October 30th – November 4th, brought together over 12,000 public health professionals to convene, learn, network, and engage with peers and colleagues across the United States and from around the world. The Annual Meeting was an opportunity to strengthen the profession of public health, share the latest research and information, promote best practices, and advocate for public health issues and policies grounded in research.
Researchers from CDC's Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention (DHAP) shared their findings in the fields of community-based practice in HIV and access to HIV/AIDS care. Dr. Puja Seth, Argelia Figueroa, MS, and Tanja Walker, MPH, discussed results from their study "CDC Funded HIV Testing, HIV Positivity, and Linkage to HIV Medical Care Among Young MSM in the United States,2013". Additionally, Luke Shouse, MD, MPH, and Elizabeth DiNenno, PhD, presented results of the MSM Testing Initiative – "Reaching Previously Untested Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM): A Public Health Imperative" – and the study
Important Highlights:
- CDC funded HIV testing, HIV positivity, and linkage to HIV medical care for 61 health department jurisdictions.
- Programs appear to be testing young, minority MSM and are approaching the National HIV/AIDS Strategy's goal of 85% linked to care within 90 days among young MSM. However, identifying new positives appears challenging.
- Researchers discussed the importance of refining targeting efforts to help identify undiagnosed young MSM.
Reaching Previously Untested Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM): A Public Health Imperative
- The MSM Testing Initiative showed that previously untested MSM were more likely to be young, Black or Hispanic, and encountered in public areas such as parks or "strolls", or through home-based testing.
- Effective testing programs targeting MSM at high risk for infection should consider testing in locations that reach these populations through non-traditional testing sites.
- Researchers shared what the findings of the MSM Testing Initiative means for developing effective testing and outreach strategies targeting MSM at high risk for infection.
Interested in learning more about the latest advances in HIV prevention strategies, testing, and linkage to care in vulnerable populations? Be sure to register for the National HIV Prevention Conference, held December 6th – 9th in Atlanta, GA. Hurry and register soon – online discount registration closes November 6th!
Be sure to also share what you have learned with other public health partners across the country by joining the NPIN Community to exchange ideas and best practices.