CDC recently released a new Vital Signs report on HIV and Gay and Bisexual Men. According to this report, despite progress in reducing new HIV infections among gay and bisexual men overall, the HIV epidemic continued and was more severe among Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino gay and bisexual men from 2010 through 2019. This report, launched on the eve of World AIDS Day (December 1), looks at the health inequities that exist in HIV prevention, diagnosis, and treatment among gay and bisexual men.

Key Findings

This analysis of national surveillance data found that the estimated number of new HIV infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) did not change overall during 2010–2019; infections decreased among White MSM but not among Black MSM or Hispanic/Latino MSM. Most measures of use of HIV prevention and treatment services were lower among Black MSM and Hispanic/Latino MSM than White MSM and younger MSM compared with other age groups.

Differences in knowledge of HIV status, PrEP usage, treatment adherence, and viral suppression for those with HIV continue to exist among gay and bisexual men.

Improving access to and use of HIV services for MSM, particularly Black MSM, Hispanic/Latino MSM, and younger MSM, is essential to ending the HIV epidemic in the United States. The updated National HIV/AIDS Strategy for 2022-2025, released on World AIDS Day, outlines goals, objectives, and priorities for eliminating disparities in HIV outcomes and putting equity in the center of our HIV response. Learn more about the new Strategy on NACCHO’s blog.

Read the Vital Signs report to learn about the new findings and what can be done to reduce these disparities.

Read the full MMWR.

This blog is adapted from HIV.gov, CDC’s Vital Signs report, and the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).